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 Spreading and Preventing Herpes
Yes. It is possible to have a sexual relationship and NOT spread the herpes virus if the necessary precautions are taken.
Herpes often brings about some changes in a couple’s sex life, such as abstaining from sex during outbreaks. For most people with herpes, this occurs only a few times a year and, if a suitable treatment approach is undertaken, you can expect even longer periods between outbreaks.
When can the herpes virus be spread?
Herpes is most easily spread when a sore is present, but, it is also often spread at other times too. Some people notice itching, tingling or other sensations before they see anything on their skin. These are called "Prodromal Symptoms" and they warn that the virus may be present on the skin.
Herpes is most likely to be spread from the time these first symptoms are noticed until the area is completely healed and the skin looks normal again.
Contact with the infected area (including oral, vaginal, or anal sex) is very risky during this time.
If there are no symptoms occurring in the infected area at the time of contact there is still a small chance of spreading the virus because occasionally the virus can shed itself at the skin's surface (in the area of infection). This referred to as Viral Shedding.
Although it is impossible to predict when viral shedding is occurring it is estimated that it only occurs approximately 5% of days during the year (possibly even less after having the virus for a long period of time) and this is usually during the few days just before, during and after an outbreak.
It is important to use latex condoms or latex barrier protection in-between outbreaks for additional protection (please see your doctor for alternative barrier methods if you are allergic to latex).
The herpes virus does not pass through latex condoms, and when properly used latex condoms are likely to reduce your risk of spreading or getting herpes, however even the best condoms do not guarantee total safety.
When herpes sores occur in places not covered by a condom the condom is of little help, if any. Condoms and foams should not be relied upon when herpes sores or symptoms are present.
Condoms do not guarantee 100% protection because a lesion may be found which the condom did not cover. Used consistently, however, condoms are one of the best available forms of prevention.
Can the virus be spread to other body areas?
Yes, you can spread herpes to other body areas (self re-infection) BUT.... it is unlikely and IF it happens it is most likely to happen only during the first "primary" outbreak.
Self re-infection to other body areas (also called auto-inoculation) is unlikely during recurrences and fairly uncommon in general -- so be sensible but don't let paranoia ruin your day!
One kind of complication involves spreading the virus from the location of an outbreak to other places on the body by touching the sore(s) and then transferring the virus particles.
As mentioned above, this is most likely to be a possibility during the first "primary" outbreak or if there is an open cut or break in the skin present, which could allow the virus easier access to transmit.
The fingers (herpes whitlow), eyes (ocular herpes), and other body areas can accidentally become infected in this way.
Preventing self-infection is simple. Be mindful of transmitting the virus to other skin areas where there is broken skin and be mindful not to touch the area during an outbreak. If you do, wash your hands and the area that you have touched as soon as possible with soap and water, this will help to prevent the virus from spreading further.
How can a person contract Genital Herpes?
Genital herpes can be transmitted through direct contact with a herpes infection (such as an infected blister or sore), usually through sexual contact such as oral, vaginal or anal intercourse.
Herpes can also be transmitted when there are no symptoms present. Since the genital herpes virus can be transmitted through oral sex as well as vaginal sex, it is also possible to contract the virus from a cold sore on a partner’s mouth or face.
It is possible to pass the virus on even if they did not have a cold sore present at the time of contact.
To help prevent transmission it is important not to touch an infected area during an outbreak. If you do, wash your hands as soon as possible with soap and water, this can help prevent the virus from spreading further.
How can a person contract Cold Sores?
Cold sores are generally contracted from skin to skin contact with an infected area.
For example, if someone has a cold sore on their lip they can pass on the virus to another person's mouth through kissing.
The usual incubation period of the virus (time before any symptoms show) is approximately two to twelve days after the first exposure to the virus.
As most people contract cold sores before the age of seven, it is common for a person not to remember their first or 'primary' cold sore outbreak.
Once infected with cold sores, the virus remains inside the body in a latent (sleeping) state. Throughout a person's life the virus can then become "activated" causing a cold sore recurrence.
Is it possible to prevent herpes infection?
Yes, definitely. Many couples have had sex for years without transmitting herpes. Some simply avoid having sexual contact when signs or symptoms are present, while others use condoms or other protection between outbreaks to help protect against asymptomatic viral shedding.
If you take the necessary precautions, the chances of getting the virus from your partner are small. Genital herpes does not necessarily mean complete abstinence from sex or a reduced enjoyment of sex.
The risk of transmitting the virus may possibly be reduced if you use condoms. The continued use of condoms in a long-term relationship is a personal decision that only the couple can make.
Most couples find that as the importance of the HSV infection in their relationship is seen in perspective, that condom use can become less relevant if this is the only reason condoms are being used.
However, at all costs couples should try to avoid sexual intercourse during an active episode of herpes, because this is when the virus is most likely to be transmitted. This period includes the time from when your partner first has warning signs of an outbreak, such as a tingling or burning in the genitals, until the last of the sores has healed. Also, sexual activity can prolong the healing of the episode.
Transmission risk is increased if there are any breaks in the skin, for example, if you have thrush or small abrasions from sexual intercourse, often due to insufficient lubrication. It can be helpful to use a lubricant specifically for sexual intercourse and avoid sex if you have thrush. Sexual lubrication is helpful right at the start of sexual activity.
Sores in other areas, such as the buttocks and thighs, can be just as contagious as those in the genital area, and care should be taken to avoid direct contact with such sores during sex. At other times, there is still a small risk of transmitting the infection, even if there are no signs of genital herpes.
If you or your partner has a cold sore, it is advisable to avoid oral sex as this can spread the virus to the genitals.
Is genital herpes spread from sharing drinks, towels, etc?
You cannot catch genital herpes by sharing cups, towels or bath water, or from toilet seats. Even during an outbreak, it is only skin to skin contact with the parts of your partner's body which have the sores which you need to avoid. If you or your partner has genital herpes, you can still cuddle, share a bed, or kiss.
What steps can I take to help prevent transmission?
In a sexual relationship with a person who has herpes, the risk of contracting the infection will never be zero. However, these steps can greatly reduce the risk:
1) Tell Your Partner. It is important to understand what herpes is; how it can be prevented; which precautions are best; what are the social and emotional impacts of herpes. If it is an option, try to avoid any sexual contact if you are infected (abstinence).
2) Avoid sex in the few days before, during and just after an outbreak as herpes is most contagious during this time. Some couples have sexual relationships for years without transmitting herpes, just by avoiding sexual contact when signs or symptoms are present.
3) Limit the number of sexual partners. By having sex with a non-infected partner who has sex only with you (mutual monogamy).
4) Use Latex Condoms and Dental Dams between outbreaks. Condoms offer useful protection against herpes, protecting or covering the mucous membranes which are the most likely sites of infection. However, condoms do not guarantee safety. The herpes sore or lesion is not always located in an area covered by the condom.
5) Talk to your Doctor about taking a herpes suppressive medication, such as “Valtrex” or talk to a Naturopath about the natural herb formula Immune Support. Both of these have been proven to reduce herpes viral shedding, minimizing the risk of transmitting the virus when there are no symptoms.
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Is there or will there ever be a drug to stop the virus from being transmitted?
Some experts believe that developing an effective HSV vaccine is the only practical way to control the disease and the spread of infection, and if such a vaccine becomes available then universal immunization may be the best approach.
Various vaccines are in clinical trials or pre-clinical development, including mutated strains of herpes virus that cannot replicate, inactivated herpes virus, and DNA vaccines that use genetic fragments of the virus to trigger an immune response. Creating such a vaccine, however, is complex and difficult.
There are often new trials commencing in all areas of treatment and participants are always in high demand. The web sites below should be able to point you in the right direction if you are interested in following the progress of these:
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/dmid/stds/herpevac
http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/messageforum
http://www.centerwatch.com/search.asp
Certain herbs and tablets can help to reduce the risk, for example, Olive Leaf (found in the herb formula “Immune Support”) and prescription medications (such as “Valtrex” and “Acyclovir”) have been proven to reduce viral shedding and the growth rate of the virus, which can in turn help to reduce the risk of transmission.
Where to Now?
- Herpes Telling
- Herpes Treatments
- Viral Shedding
- How to Reduce Herpes Outbreaks
 Talk about it on the "Herpes Discussion Forum"
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