The dangers of kissing

SYDNEY - It's one of life's simplest pleasures, but even a kiss comes with a health warning.

The symbol of affection is a major transmitter of herpes, warns the Australian Herpes Management Forum (AHMF) ahead of the roll-out of a national ad campaign.

AHMF executive director Tricia Berger says while kissing "demonstrates love and affection" and it was a "very common activity" it posed risks to both adults and children.

"No parent kissing their child or partner kissing their girlfriend wants to pass along the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), but people should be aware this is the main method of transmission," says Ms Berger.

"Once you have been infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2, the virus stays in your body for life and can be reactivate at any time."

More than 75 per cent of Australians carry HSV-1, the variant of the virus otherwise referred to as cold sores.

It is commonly acquired as a child from contact, often a kiss, with adult relatives.

Despite the high prevalence, only 30 per cent of adults in Australia and New Zealand report experiencing cold sores.

When a person becomes infected, Ms Berger says they will not always have typical cold sore symptoms.

"If you have a herpes sore on or near your mouth, its likely that you'll pass the virus along to whomever you kiss," she says.

"It is also possible to transmit the virus even when there are no apparent sores or symptoms, but the risk is higher when the sores are visible."

HSV-1 is also responsible for 40 per cent of genital herpes cases, while about 12 per cent of people have the virus' HSV-2 variant which is the most common cause of genital herpes.

- AAP