Saliva is one of the highest causes of herpes spreading, so you can definitely catch the herpes virus from kissing someone who has it. This is especially so if the person has the blisters around their mouth or on their lips. The fluid from the blisters (cold sores) as well as their saliva can transmit the virus to you.

How is Herpes Spread?

Kissing isn’t the only way to spread herpes. Studies show that skin-to-skin contact and sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal and oral) can spread the herpes simplex virus. The main areas that are easily affected are moist areas, such as the mouth, throat, lips, vagina, vulva and eyes.

Blood is also a highly contagious factor that can spread herpes. If your partner has herpes blisters on their mouth and perform oral sex on you, you can definitely catch the virus. And if your partner has genital herpes and you give him or her oral sex, you can still catch the virus.

Even after the sores have healed, the skin can shed the herpes virus and spread to others. It’s not until all of the scabs have fallen off that the skin is normal again.

Can I get Herpes from Surfaces?

Despite the myths, you can not get herpes from toilets, towels, wash cloths, swimming pools, bathtubs and washing machines.

What are the Symptoms of Oral Herpes?

Cold sores usually appear around the mouth or on the lips when a person has oral herpes. These cold sores take form of small blisters and can be spread through kissing and oral sex. Short direct contact with the sore is enough to spread the herpes to another person. Many children were shown to have the herpes virus, type one (infections above the waist).

A lot of the time, the flare-ups from the herpes (obtained during childhood) doesn’t occur until adulthood. The herpes virus is harmless to adults and children, but can be so to infants.

Will I know Right Away when I have Herpes?

Most of the time, the herpes virus doesn’t flare-up for a while. The person infected can carry the virus for years without any symptoms of the illness. It is said that many people carry the virus within their bodies and only experience the symptoms after they are infected again (come into contact with someone who has the virus). After contracting the virus, you may not get signs of the herpes until two to 20 days later. Sometimes it can be longer.

What are the First Signs of Herpes?

Itching and tingly sensations on an area of the skin are usually the first signs of the herpes virus. This usually happens hours or days before the blisters appear (also known as prodrome – symptoms before the outbreak). You may also experience one or more of the following:

• Burning feeling while urinating
• Swollen, tender lymph glands in the groin, throat or under the arms (sometimes remaining swollen for up to six weeks)
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Feeling ill
• Flu-like, achy feeling
• Nausea
• Fever
• Inability to urinate

Most of the time, these symptoms will subside after three weeks, but can leave faster if using treatments.

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Sources:
http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/herpes.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/genital-herpes/DS00179/DSECTION=2