Can you spread genital herpes to someone by kissing?

Think of a mom kissing her child lip to lip. This is the situation the child is faced with.

Typically genital herpes are caused by herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2), while cold sores are typically caused by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1). However, both HSV1 and HSV2 can cause either cold sores or genital herpes.

If a person has cold sores (caused by either HSV1 and HSV2) and they kiss another person on the lips, it is possible for that person to develop cold sores. Kissing is the most common ways cold sores are spread. They are not considered genital herpes though because the sores are not on the genitals.

If a person gives a person with genital herpes oral sex, then it is possible for that person to develop cold sores. Again, it's not considered genital herpes because it's not affecting the genitals.

In order to have genital herpes it has to affect the genital area. Source(s): Personal experience. I have had genital herpes caused by HSV1 for over 6 years.

Not that I know of. I think it has to be genital contact. Ask your doctor they won't think your dumb. The dumb questions are the ones people don't ask.
Genital herpes, aka HSV2, prefers areas below the belt for transmission, but there have been cases where the virus was passed from genital-oral contact. So would it be possible to pass the HSV2 virus oral-oral via kissing with someone who was infected orally? Possible, but not very likely.

Absolutely impossible if you are asking whether someone who has an active infection at the genital region only and kisses another person.

Direct contact with the lesion or area where the virus is shedding is necessary. A word of caution. The virus can be passed at the region of infection even if there is not a visible lesion (usually small, confluent blisters, like fever blisters).

I hope this helps.
Medical provider
If the mom is having an episode, attack, recurrence or whatever you want to call it, when she kisses her child, then yes, sooner or later she will pass the virus to her child.

I should point out, since the other replies omitted this, that lesions, cold sores, or fever blisters are not the only symptoms that an episode or contagious period is occuring. Sub-clinical shedding is the operative condition. This may present as sensations only.

Also, while the mom will know when an episode is occurring and when an episode has occurred, she will never know when an episode is about to occur. She will be infectious before, during, and after the episode.

Speaking from personal experience, I can say it is no big deal and the mom will adjust to it but should always practice good hygiene and be ethical.
Like a cold sore? They should only worry if the mom HAS a cold sore at the time, and wait for it to completely go away before sharing a cup or a kiss on the cheek. My mom has always had a cold sore and I've never had one.