Is It possible for someone to be born with a trait for herpes?? I mean someone had to start the whole thing somehow... anyway, the reason I'm asking is because I get cold sores all the time, but I've never done anything.
2007-03-25 11:08:55 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ STDs
It's not a "trait" someone is born with. Herpes is NOT inherited from a parent like colorblindness or curly hair.
Chances of a baby being born with herpes is VERY rare, but it can happen. If the mother is having an outbreak the baby can contract the virus as it is coming through the birth canal. The baby basically rubs against the sores when it is coming through the birth canal and vagina opening and it contracts the virus that way. Being born with herpes is a less then 1% chance. And, if a baby is born with herpes there is a 25% chance it will be fatal.
If you have never done anything sexually, you probably got the virus from kissing someone who has it. A LOT of children and babies contract the virus from being kissed by another family member such as a mom or dad, grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc. A person can also get cold sores from sharing things with a person who has them. Sharing a drink, chap stick, lip stick, cigarette, or basically anything a person with cold sores has their lips on can spread the virus to another person if they put their lips on it.
Don't beat yourself up over it though. It's estimated 75 - 80% of the WORLD has cold sores. It is VERY common.
2007-03-26 05:53:47 · answer #1 · answered by Alli 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you dont have to "do anything" sexual (even hugging, kissing, holding hands etc) to get cold sores. you could have picked up the virus the same way you get a cold or the flu. Just being around people, touching the same doorknob, using a public phone. Ex: someone with a cold sore touches their mouth with their hand then opens a door and then you come along and open the door then later in the day, you touch your mouth. You now have the virus on your mouth. So be careful to not spread the virus to others, please!
2007-03-25 11:36:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely~ 3/4 of the population has some strain of herpes. Whether it be genital, or oral, it's all herpes. It can definitely be passed from parents to children.
2007-03-25 11:13:36 · answer #3 · answered by Ashley B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cold sores/chicken pox/mumps are harmless herpes. the only one you should be worried about is the sexually transmitted ones. almost everyone is brnwith herpes.
2007-03-25 11:14:12 · answer #4 · answered by bic102lovely 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋