Oral Herpes: Are Cold Sores Contagious? Yes, Oral Herpes is
contagious. It is caused by the virus Herpes Simplex 1 and
sometimes by Herpes Simplex 2 which which is more often the
cause of Oral Herpes is contagious via skin contact from the
affected area, typically kissing. Children usually get it from
relatives. as it is highly contagious during an outbreak but so
many people have it and don't recognize the symptoms for what
they are. Once you've caught the Herpes Simplex virus, it's for
life. This also means that it it potentially contagious for
life, but the virus is latent most of the time and the outbreak
is not dangerous. The worst effect of Herpes Simplex for many
people is the social-psychological strain experienced from the
symptoms if the outbreaks are severe. The outbreak of Oral
Herpes is also known as cold sores. It has nothing to do with a
cold but is nearly as common. It is a rash that turns into
blisters which then turn into a dry scab. The symptoms generally
last less than Care and Prevention