Herpes is transmitted through human-to-human contact, usually through kissing or sex. As long as there is skin contact, a person with herpes can infect another person, even when they are not exhibiting any symptoms.

Can you get herpes from kissing someone without an outbreak?

Herpes can only be passed through direct skin-to-skin contact with the infected area such as kissing, oral sex, genital-to-genital rubbing, vaginal, and anal sex. Herpes (both oral & genital) can be spread even when there are no symptoms or sores. This is called asymptomatic shedding.

Should I get tested if I kissed someone with herpes?

Outside of an active outbreak, you may want to have herpes testing if you know that your partner has herpes or if youve had several new sexual partners. Since herpes isnt spread through kissing as often, you typically do not need to get tested for herpes simply because you kissed someone.