Preventing Herpes

 

DISCLAIMER:  The information provided on this is meant to be used as a public service. It is not intended to replace a physician’s advice, nor do the creators of this site accept any responsibility for the choices you make in treating or attempting to prevent transmission of the herpes virus. Sexual abstinence is the only 100% guaranteed way to prevent transmission of the virus from an infected person to an uninfected person.

 

 

The following information was adapted from MetroKC.gov (King County, Washington):

 

How can I prevent genital herpes?

 

Abstinence is the only guaranteed way to avoid herpes and other STDs. However, if you do engage in sexual activity:

 

    * Work out a plan to reduce risks of herpes and other STDs with your partner(s).

    * Use male or female condoms the properly and every time you engage in sexual activity (see “Between Outbreaks” section below).

    * Abstain from sex if you see sores or bumps on your partner’s genitals.

    * Practice mutual monogamy—sex with one partner who has sex with only you.

    * Reduce the amount of sexual partners you have. The more sexual partners, the greater your risk of contracting herpes or other STDs.

 

If your sex partner is diagnosed with genital herpes:

 

Abstain from sex—even with a condom— during your partner’s herpes outbreak. Stop all sexual contact immediately when your partner feels warning signs of an outbreak. Don’t resume sexual activity with your partner until seven days after the outbreak has disappeared.

 

Always use a condom between outbreaks.

 

What can I do to ensure my sexual partner doesn’t contract herpes from me?

 

Sex can still be enjoyable while taking precautions about herpes. Knowing your outbreak patterns can help. Prior to having sex, talk with your partners —even if you aren't experiencing an outbreak--and plan to use condoms. Discuss the risks and decide how to have a safe sexual experience.

 

When you are experiencing an outbreak:

 

Discontinue all sexual contact the moment you feel warning signs of an outbreak. Even before the sore appears, the virus is active and can be spread. Avoid any vaginal, anal or oral sex and any type of sexual touch (like mutual masturbation or rubbing) – even with a condom—the virus may spread from sores or areas of the skin not covered by a condom. Do not resume sex until seven days after all sores heal.

 

Particularly upon initial outbreak, herpes sore can spread the virus from one person to another or from one part of the body to another by touching. Avoid touching the sores. Wash your hands with hot, soapy water before you touch anything else if you happen to touch a herpes sore.

 

In between outbreaks:

 

Even when you do not have symptoms, it is still possible to transmit herpes to a sexual partner. Using condoms between outbreaks may reduce – but not eliminate – the risk of transmission. While condoms can’t protect against all skin contact, they do protect the most likely areas from infection. Using condoms also reduces the risk of acquiring other STDs.

 

 

(The information below was developed by The FDA, as adapted from American Social Health Association)

 

Genital Herpes: A Hidden Epidemic

 

Author:  Linda Bren

 

Transmission and Prevention of Herpes

 

The only way genital herpes is spread is through direct skin-to-skin contact or mucous membrane contact. It can be transmitted through penile-vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, oral-genital sex, and other sexual body-to-body contact.

 

Avoiding sexual contact from the time they first feel any symptoms until their lesions are completely healed helps reduce the risk of transmission. During times when there are no symptoms, using latex male condoms for genital-to-genital contact reduces the risk of transmission, according to the American Social Health Association. However, condoms are only effective if they cover or prevent contact with the area of the body that has a lesion or active virus.

 

Anna Wald, M.D., medical director of the virology research clinic at the University of Washington in Seattle led a study of more than 400 monogamous couples where one partner had genital herpes and the other didn't, which concluded that condoms offered significant protection against HSV-2 infection in women. Since women shed the virus from a wide genital area, condoms may be less protective for men than for women, says Wald, whose study was published in the June 27, 2001, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. More studies must be conducted to determine the effectiveness of condoms for men, she says.

 

Condoms made from lambskin or other natural membrane should be avoided because the natural pores found in these materials are large enough to allow some viruses to pass through. Latex or polyurethane condoms should be used when attempting to prevent herpes transmission.

 

While partners may be infected with different strains of herpes, it is unlikely one partner will “re-infect” the other. Even so, each person's symptoms won’t change.

 

The virus is not airborne, nor have there been documented cases of genital herpes transmissions from inanimate objects like toilet seats or hot tubs. "Herpes doesn't do well in chlorinated water," says Ashley. "The virus can be present in a hot tub, but it won't be active." The virus doesn't survive well in the environment, even on a wet towel, says Ashley. However, she advises to avoid sharing razors, especially with someone who has an active cold sore. The herpes virus, along with other viruses like hepatitis C, can be transmitted from the razor to the skin.

 

It is possible, but unlikely, to spread herpes from one body part to another. Spreading herpes from one part of your body to another (autoinoculation). To avoid this, always wash your hands with soap upon touching a herpes sore.

Click here to read about the research