Transmission. HSV-2 is mainly transmitted during sex, through contact with genital surfaces, skin, sores or fluids of someone infected with the virus. HSV-2 can be transmitted from skin in the genital or anal area that looks normal and is often transmitted in the absence of symptoms.

Is HSV-2 easy to catch?

Herpes is easily spread from skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the virus. You can get it when your genitals and/or mouth touch their genitals and/or mouth — usually during oral, anal, and vaginal sex. Herpes can be passed even if the penis or tongue doesnt go all the way in the vagina, anus, or mouth.

What are the chances of catching HSV-2?

HSV-2 infection is more common among women than among men; the percentages of those infected during 2015-2016 were 15.9% versus 8.2% respectively, among 14 to 49 year olds. This is possibly because genital infection is more easily transmitted from men to women than from women to men during penile-vaginal sex.