Someone with herpes can infect a partner even when no sores are visible, though it is much more likely to occur when sores are present. Using a latex condom helps, but there is still skin contact in areas the condom doesn’t cover. The only perfect prevention is to abstain from sex, or to know that your partner is negative for herpes, and then have sex only with that partner. If you are sexually active without a regular partner, there are still ways to lessen the risk of getting herpes. Similarly if you have herpes, there are ways to decrease the chances of passing it on to your partner. The first, and most important, step is communication with your partner. At the end of this article are some resources to help you plan your talk. If you are both informed, you can best choose strategies to lessen the risk.
Abstain during high-risk times
When someone has cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth (oral herpes), she or he should not perform oral sex until all sores are completely healed. (They are healed when the scab has fallen off and new skin has formed where the sore was.)
When someone has blisters or a rash that could be herpes around the genitals, he or she should not have sexual activity until all sores have completely healed.
If you have herpes you should avoid sexual contact from the time you first feel any symptoms until the sores are completely healed.
Condoms or barriers
When there are no symptoms present around the mouth, using a barrier or condom when performing oral sex can reduce the risk of contracting genital herpes.
When there are no symptoms present in the genital area, using latex condoms reduces the risk of getting herpes. Though smaller, the risk still exists since areas of the skin still touch.
Suppressive therapy
Taking medication for herpes outbreaks regularly, every day whether or not there are symptoms, decreases the number of recurrences. It’s also been shown to reduce the risk of herpes transmission by 50 percent.
It’s likely that a combination of suppressive medication and condoms provides greater protection than either method alone.
Preventing other problems:
Although it is rare, someone with herpes can spread it to other parts of the body, or to other people without sexual contact. To avoid this:
Keep the infected area clean and dry to prevent other infections from developing in the open sores.
Don’t touch the sores.
If you can’t avoid touching the sores, wash your hands immediately afterwards.
Wash your hands before physical contact with other people, especially young children, the elderly, or those with immune system problems.