Genital Herpes (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
You can take measures to reduce your risk of becoming infected with genital herpes (HSV) infection or another sexually transmitted infection (STI). You can also reduce the risk of transmitting HSV to your sex partner(s).
Practice safe sex
Preventing an STI is easier than treating an infection after it occurs.
For more information, see the topic Safe Sex.
Vaccines that can prevent a genital herpes infection are not currently available. But research has shown that an HSV-infected person in a heterosexual, single-partner (monogamous) relationship who takes the antiviral medicine valacyclovir daily to prevent recurrent outbreaks also reduces the risk of infecting his or her partner.2 Other antiviral medicines may also reduce transmission, but further study is needed.
Condom use reduces the risk of spreading or becoming infected with an STI, including genital herpes. Condoms must be in place before beginning any sexual contact. Use condoms with a new partner until you are certain he or she does not have an STI. You can use either male or female condoms.
Even if you are using another birth control method to prevent pregnancy, you may wish to use condoms to reduce your risk of getting an STI. Female condoms are available for women whose male partners do not have or will not use a condom.
Doctors recommend that people abstain from sex while they feel tingling or pain in the genital area, which may mean that an HSV outbreak is coming (prodrome), or when a genital herpes blister or sore is present. At other times, condoms help reduce transmission of HSV even when blisters or sores are not present.
Genital herpes and pregnancy
A woman who gets genital herpes while she is pregnant is at risk of passing the infection to her baby during delivery. A newborn can become seriously ill if infected with the herpes simplex virus. For this reason it is very important to prevent genital herpes infection during pregnancy.
If you are having a genital herpes outbreak, wash your hands after using the bathroom or having any contact with blisters or sores. This is especially important for people who are caring for babies.
eMedicineHealth Medical Reference from Healthwise
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