How do you catch genital herpes?

How do you catch genital herpes? The virus that causes genital herpes is spread by sexual contact: vaginal or anal intercourse and oral sex. You can also catch genital herpes from someone who has a cold sore, through oral sex. The virus can be passed on to someone else during an outbreak - this is a particular risk until the blisters have healed up. It is now known that the herpes virus can also be passed on from infected individuals even before the symptoms of an outbreak appear, or days or weeks after the blisters have healed. This is known as 'asymptomatic shedding', and it is thought that most people become infected during these times. You are less likely to pass herpes on to your partner if you avoid any kind of sexual contact during an outbreak, and use condoms in between.

How do you catch genital herpes?

The virus that causes genital herpes is spread by sexual contact: vaginal or anal intercourse and oral sex. You can also catch genital herpes from someone who has a cold sore, through oral sex.

The virus can be passed on to someone else during an outbreak - this is a particular risk until the blisters have healed up.

It is now known that the herpes virus can also be passed on from infected individuals even before the symptoms of an outbreak appear, or days or weeks after the blisters have healed. This is known as 'asymptomatic shedding', and it is thought that most people become infected during these times.

You are less likely to pass herpes on to your partner if you avoid any kind of sexual contact during an outbreak, and use condoms in between.

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