Oral HSV-2 transmission

[Glen_stewartt]

Now all this is too confusing for me to understand. Can anyone out there shed some light into my dilema. It is said that HSV-2 is a sexually transmitted disease and we will not get it from kissing or sharing utensil. I dont get this while it contradicts by saying the virus shed when sores are not present which can cause infection.

Now the question is can HSV-2 be spread by kissing on someones cheek, if yes then there should be a whole lot of HSV-2 herpes cases since its a usually form of greeting. What about someone using somebodys utensil like a spoon right after someone with herpes has had a bite from? Doesnt the asymptomatic shedded virus infect people.

As such it wouldnt be a sexually transmitted disease then.

[gracefromHHP]

As an adult, oral herpes is almost exclusively transmitted thru romantic type kisses.  Hsv2 can infect the oral area but not many folks have it. Of those who do, on average it sheds about 1% of days in otherwise immunocompetent folks.  That's 3 days total a year. The odds of someone kissing anyone when they are shedding or giving them oral sex when it's shedding are incredibly low.  

Herpes isn't easily transmitted to the cheek by just a peck on the cheek either - the skin there is thicker than the softer mucous membrane's of the lips/mouth.

grace