Can One Contract HSV-1 Through Open Sores?

Posted on Thu, 4 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 3 Feb 2016 Answered on

Sat, 2 Apr 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Is HSV-1 contagious if there is no open sore, or is a person also contagious if there is a sore that has not opened?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (-2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Intact skin is not contagious whereas mucosa is contagious, even if intact

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

I have read your query and I have noted your concern.

Hsv-1 can be contagious even if the mucosa (e.g labial mucosa, genital mucosa) is intact, however, presence of a sore makes it even more contagious because amore virus would be shed. Therefore, presence of an active episode of Hsv makes it more contagious than at other times when the mucosa is intact.
Unlike mucosa, intact skin is not contagious for Hsv-1 because skin is tough and Hsv cannot penetrate intact skin. Only skin which is broken, is contagious.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar