Can a person get genital herpes without being sexually active?

You can get STDs without having sex by doing things like kissing a loved one, conducting oral, sharing food, borrowing towels, and more. ... read more

You can also get herpes from an infected sex partner who does not have a visible sore or who may not know he or she is infected because the virus can be released through your skin and spread the infection to your sex partner(s). read more

Herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), which has two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is the most frequent cause of oral herpes, and HSV-2 is the most frequent cause of genital herpes. However, both viruses may cause oral and genital infections with virtually identical symptoms. read more

Oral Sex. Although some people might not consider oral sex to actually be “sex” because it does not involve vaginal penetration, it can still lead to the spread of STDs. Dr. Weber says that oral sex should still be considered as sex, despite some misconceptions that many students have, and it can lead to transmission of herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and other diseases. read more

But oral herpes can be passed from your partners mouth to your genitals if they gave you oral sex while they had any signs of a cold sore. Some people don't count oral sex as part of having sex. It's very rare to get herpes on your genitals with out receiving oral sex or having intercourse with some one that has it. read more

Sex is one common way that herpes is spread, but it can be spread in other ways as well. It may be that you're having some confusion between causes of the symptoms of herpes and the routes of viral transmission between two people. Herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), which has two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. read more