Can you get a herpes outbreak on your chest?

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) commonly causes oral herpes, also called cold sores or fever blisters. HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes in some cases. Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) mainly causes genital herpes.

Genital herpes can spread to other areas of the body through sexual contact, such as the buttocks or thighs. However, it's uncommon for genital herpes to spread to the chest. If someone with genital herpes engages in oral sex with a partner who does not have oral herpes, the virus can be transmitted to the mouth and cause oral herpes.

Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles can occur anywhere on the body, including the chest. It typically appears as a band or stripe of blisters that can be painful.