How Can I Prevent Giving Herpes To My Partner?

Do you always use condoms and dental dams during oral, anal, and vaginal sex?

Do you avoid having sex during an outbreak of herpes, even with a condom?

Do you avoid having sex until the sores completely disappear and the scabs heal and fall off?

Do you avoid having sex as soon as you notice signs of a herpes outbreak (tingling, itching or burning sensation that signals you're about to get sores)?

Do you avoid touching your herpes sores?

Do you avoid kissing your partner when you have cold sores?

Do you take anti-herpes medications (antiviral medications)?

Based on your answers, there are several other ways that can help you prevent giving herpes to your partner. It is very important to avoid sex during a herpes outbreak. This also applies to sex with a condom, because sores can also occur in places that are not covered by a condom, so you can still transmit the infection to your partner. You should avoid sex even when there are no visible sores, but you have noticed the early signs of a herpes outbreak (tingling, itching). Be honest with your sexual partner, tell him (her) you have herpes and avoid sex until the sores are completely gone.

Based on your answers, you know a lot about how to prevent giving herpes to your partner. You should avoid touching herpetic lesions. If you touch a sore, be sure to wash your hands immediately with soap and water, otherwise you risk transmitting the virus to other parts of your body or other people. Talk to your doctor about taking anti-herpes medications. Antiviral medications, such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex) can reduce the spread of the herpes virus in your body. Some studies have shown that you are less likely to transmit the herpes virus to your partner if you are on antivirals.