Genital herpes can spread at any time, even when there are no visible symptoms. It can also infect any part of a person’s skin, so preventing spreading it on other parts of your body, and to others is important. It can also be difficult, because if you do have genital herpes, you should tell your sexual partner. See more about how to do this in “Genital Herpes and Relationships”.
Always Use Protection
The first thing is to always use protection during sexual contact to prevent genital herpes spreading. The second thing is to avoid any and all sexual contact before and during and outbreak. As a condom will help prevent the prevent genital herpes spreading, it is not fool proof. Sores can appear on any part of a person’s skin and a condom doesn’t cover everything. Also, even if someone refrains from sexual contact altogether, they can still become infected. Kissing is one way a person can become infected. Even touching the infected area, then touching another part of your body, or someone else’s can spread genital herpes.
A mother who has genital herpes can give the virus to her baby during childbirth. Having a Cesarean section is one option that’s available to help prevent spreading genital herpes to the baby. If the baby becomes infected with genital herpes during birth, it can cause blindness and other serious health problems.
Wash Hands Regularly
If you are having an outbreak and you touch the area, you need to immediately wash your hands and any other part of your body that you may have touched to prevent spreading it to other areas of your body. After you take a shower you need to gently pat it dry, and try to keep it dry at all times. Make it a point to try your best to never touch the area other than washing. If you accidentally touch the area when you are drying it, wash your hands right away.
Genital herpes is the most contagious when an outbreak occurs, but it can also spread at any time. You must also wash your hands thoroughly after every time you go to the bathroom.
You should also wash your hands before touching your eyes, as genital herpes can cause eye infections if the virus infects your eyes. It can also spread easily to your mouth, or nose, so be sure to wash your hands before touching those areas as well.