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Herpes simplex - oral - Background information
How is it transmitted?
- A person is susceptible to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) if they do not have antibodies to the virus [Leflore et al, 2000].
- For HSV-1 infection to occur, there must be intimate contact between a person without antibodies to the virus and someone who is actively shedding the virus or secreting body fluids containing the virus [Torres, 2007].
- HSV-1 viral shedding has a median duration of 4–60 hours from the onset of symptoms [Torres, 2007]. Transmission between a person who has been infected with HSV-1 and someone who has not can still happen even when there are no lesions present [Bentley et al, 2003].
- Lesions are most contagious at the time of vesicular rupture and continue to be contagious until healed [Bentley et al, 2003].
- The incubation period is 2–12 days [Hirsch, 1995].
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