Once a person is infected with herpes, he or she remains infected for life.
Herpes spreads through intimate skin contact with an infected individual.
Although the virus can be spread through contact with lesions or secretions, most transmission occurs from unrecognized lesions or asymptomatic shedding. Transmission of the virus can occur when the infected partner does not have an active outbreak of blisters, ulcers, or other symptoms. Some individuals may never have any symptoms and not know that they are infected with the herpes virus. However, they can still transmit the virus to others. Oral herpes can be spread through kissing.