Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic Herpes simplex virus is usually transmitted by direct contact, either oral or genital. HSV type 1 usually causes oro-labial herpes and Type 2 usually causes genital infection. However, this distinction is arbitrary and either type of Hsv can cause oral herpes as well as genital herpes. Testing for type specific Hsv will reveal the virus type, whether you have type 1 Or type 2 Hsv. Certainly you can pass on the virus through unprotected sex; the risk is not exactly known and depends on whether it is a recent/new infection Or old infection Or is the infection active at the time of sex. Recent infection is more infectious and sex during an episode of active sores is more likely to transmit the infection than that during a clinically silent period. Protection reduces the risk of transmission by 50 % and together with antiviral medication the risk is reduced by 70% . Regards Always practice safe sex with a condom!