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I have herpes on my lips, possibly in my nose, and in my private area. I am also a virgin. How did i get the “std”?! Ive had it since i was 14 ish, and at the time i had never even had a boyfriend. The only explination i can think of is that my mother has herpes and it was passed onto me during my birth. Is this true?

Some sexually transmitted infections, including herpes, can be passed from the mother to the fetus during pregnancy or the infant during birth. But most people with oral herpes get it during childhood from their parents, relatives, or other caretakers. Brief, direct contact — like being kissed — is all that’s needed to pass the infection.  On the rare occasion that herpes is passed from a woman to her fetus, it affects the general health and development of the fetus. It does not develop into oral or genital herpes.

It’s possible for someone who is a virgin to get herpes through other kinds of contact. Most people agree that a virgin is someone who has never had vaginal intercourse. Herpes can be spread through unprotected vaginal intercourse, but it can also be spread through unprotected anal sex, unprotected oral sex, skin-to-skin contact, and kissing.

People can also pass a herpes infection from one part of their bodies to another with their hands if they touch open herpes sores. That’s why it’s very important for people with herpes to always wash their hands carefully before touching their contact lenses or other things that come in close contact with the body.

Tags: STDs, herpes

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