Herpes is not a skin disease, you can't catch it through air.
Herpes is caused by a virus, either Herpes Simplex 1(HSV1) or Herpes Simplex 2 (HSV2). (These viruses belong to a family of viruses that include Epstein-Barr – which causes mono – and varicella zoster – which causes chicken pox and shingles.) It is currently estimated that 50 – 80% of North American adults have HSV1, and 20% have HSV2.
After contact, some people will have no symptoms for months or even years, but usually, symptoms occur 10 days -2 weeks after exposure. An infected person will probably notice a sensitive, slightly swollen, sore area that feels hot to touch, itchy, and it tingles and throbs. This is called the prodronal stage. Then, an irregular-shaped lesion appears, very sore, red and ugly. The surface of this lesion sloughs off leaving a wet oozy sore. The liquid from this sore is loaded with the HSV. And is very contagious. The lesion will be present for a week to 12 days, and will gradually heal over, leaving no scar.
The virus has retreated down a nerve path and is stored in the spinal cord where it can be reactivated any time. Some people learn what will trigger another outbreak - sunshine, certain foods, (tomatoes, chocolate, pineapple) stress or a fever, (that is why some folks call them "fever blisters".) The first outbreak is usually the most severe. It can cause headaches, nausea and general malaise. After that the outbreaks usually lessen in severity and frequency.
Some people will have a couple of outbreaks a year, but some women have an outbreak with the onset of every menstrual period, lasting up to two weeks, so they spend ½ their lives with cold sores.
Other people are infected, carry the virus and never have an outbreak, but they can spread the virus by shedding (more later).
Herpes 1 is usually cold sores on the mouth, commonly spread by kissing.
Herpes 2 is usually on the genitals of either males or females. This is spread by nude genital contact with an infected partner. But here is the rub…. If you have a cold sore on your mouth and you "go down on" your partner, your lip virus can infect their genitals. And if partner has genital herpes and you "go down on" them, you can get Herpes 2 on your mouth.
You do not get Herpes from toilet seats or door knobs, towels or bath tubs.
Diagnosis is by smear and culture, done by your doctor or Sexual Health Clinic when you have an active lesion. There is also a blood test which is quite accurate.
There is no cure, you have it for life, but there is treatment for oral herpes, an oral medication which you take when you become aware of the prodronal symptoms. This may lessen and shorten the outbreak. For severe cases, the medication is taken every day to prevent an outbreak. This is very expensive and may not be covered by your drug plan.