Genital herpes is usually transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. When a person has an outbreak, the virus comes to the surface and lives on the skin on and around the blisters, as well as in the fluid they leak. If someone touches an infected area, the virus can be passed to their skin, and it can infect them by getting into their body. Genital herpes is most often transmitted by vaginal, anal, and oral sex, or when fingers touch an infected area and then another person.
Herpes simplex viruses can also be found in the bodily fluids of infected people, including their semen, meaning genital herpes can be passed to a sexual partner even when the blisters aren’t present.
Genital herpes isn’t normally passed by touching objects an infected person has used, such as sharing a towel or sitting on a toilet seat, as the virus dies quickly when away from the body. It can be passed by sharing sex toys with a partner though.