Ask a doctor on the topic of Gynecology

Genital herpes

March 20, 2018 | 35,00 EUR | answered by Ulrike Winkler

Even when the blisters and sores have healed, the infection can still be transmitted through saliva, vaginal or prostate secretions, and semen depending on the affected area. This is because the herpes viruses can remain dormant in the infected areas of the skin and mucous membranes after the blisters have healed. However, the risk of transmission is much higher when the blisters are active.

Best regards,
U. Winkler

So does that mean I am always contagious?

Or is only the area of the mucous membranes still contagious after healing which previously had the blisters, or the entire mucous membrane area?

I don't quite understand. So are the mucous membranes also carriers of the viruses even if there are no blisters, and is that always the case?

Ulrike Winkler

Good evening,
30-40 percent of all people have the virus in them and can transmit it through sexual intercourse or kissing. If there are open blisters, the viral load is extremely high and one is highly contagious. However, the virus can also be transmitted without blisters. This also applies to the herpes virus of the mouth - it is also transmitted through kissing. So you may have already infected your partner at any time or he may have infected you and it has only manifested in you. The viruses are usually lifelong in the body - sometimes they then break out.

Best regards U. Winkler