Herpes can be transmitted without sexual contact when the virus passes through direct contact with a person’s saliva or an active cold sore. This type of spread is most common with oral herpes, especially in childhood, when close family contact like kissing makes exposure more likely.
Non-sexual transmission can also happen when someone touches a cold sore and then touches another part of the body, which can move the virus to areas like the fingers or eyes. This is more likely during a first outbreak, when the virus sheds more actively. In newborns, herpes can be passed from the mother during childbirth if she has an active genital infection, which is why doctors monitor symptoms closely during pregnancy.
Everyday household contact may also play a role in rare cases, although passing the virus through shared objects is unlikely because herpes does not survive well on dry surfaces. The virus requires direct exposure to skin or mucosa to cause infection, which helps explain why most non-sexual transmission happens through close personal contact.
Anyone dealing with frequent outbreaks, new symptoms, or concerns about transmission should speak with a primary care doctor, gynecologist, or infectious disease specialist for proper evaluation and guidance. Self-medication should be avoided, and it is important to avoid touching sores to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to oneself or others.