As such, the more common causes of herpes transmission are kissing, or direct skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has an active infection. The herpes virus enters the body through the skin and mucous membranes (especially the mouth and genitals) and travels along the nerve endings to the base of the spine, where it remains by feeding off nutrients produced by the body cells. However, both viruses may cause oral and genital infections with virtually identical symptoms.
HSV-1 is the most frequent cause of oral herpes, and HSV-2 is the most frequent cause of genital herpes. Herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), which has two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2.
It may be that you're having some confusion between causes of the symptoms of herpes and the routes of viral transmission between two people. Sex is one common way that herpes is spread, but it can be spread in other ways as well.
