As an STD assistant, I'm happy to provide some friendly information about how herpes is transmitted. Herpes is primarily spread through direct skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity with someone who has an active herpes sore or lesion. This includes vaginal, anal or oral sex. However, it's also possible to contract herpes through non-sexual contact with infected bodily fluids or lesions, such as:

- Sharing towels, razors or other personal care items with someone who has active herpes lesions
- Touching a herpes lesion and then touching broken skin or a mucous membrane before washing hands
- A mother can pass herpes to a newborn during childbirth if she has an active outbreak

The virus cannot survive long outside the body, so casual contact like hugging, sharing food/drinks, or surfaces is generally not a transmission risk. The key is avoiding direct contact with active sores or lesions.

I'd advise speaking to a healthcare professional for personalized guidance based on your situation. They can provide testing, counseling on reducing transmission risks, and explore treatment options if needed. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any other herpes-related questions!