Herpes Transmission-Avoiding An Outbreak

Do you know how to prevent herpes transmission?  We should point out right up front that, aside from being one hundred percent celibate, there really is no guaranteed, foolproof method that can entirely eliminate the risk of transmitting herpes to another person.  That being said, however, there are a great many things you can do which can greatly reduce the risk.  Right now herpes isn’t curable, but it is manageable, and part of managing it means reducing the risk of herpes transmission as close as possible to zero.

Of course, it should go without saying that you should avoid sex during an active outbreak.  Unfortunately, many people ignore this advice, which is part of the reason herpes is such a big problem these days.  And this doesn’t apply only to outbreaks of genital herpes.  If you have a cold sore, ocular herpes, or any other active outbreak of any form of the herpes virus, you can transmit it to your partner.

Another thing that many people with herpes don’t know is that they should refrain from sexual activity when they feel that an outbreak is about to occur.  Many herpes sufferers have learned from experience that an outbreak rarely just happens.  There are usually signals from you body that you’re on the verge of an outbreak.  In most people, these signs are a recurrent itch or tingling in the genital area.  Transmitting herpes in this pre-outbreak period is very likely if you engage in sexual activity.  So it’s best avoided during these times.

Finally, even if you’re not having an active outbreak, and you don’t have any signs that one is coming on, it’s always best to use a condom to help reduce the risk of herpes transmission.  Everyone who has the virus can pass it on to their partner, even when it’s lying dormant.  It’s true that the risk is reduced during these inactive periods, but it is always there.