Genital herpes is one of the most common STDs in the world. At least 1 out of every 6 people aged between 14–49 in the U.S. have genital herpes, and the percentage is likely to be much higher when you count oral herpes.
There are a few preventative measures you can take to reduce your risk of contracting the disease. You may want to check these out, especially if you’re sexually active:
There are a few preventative measures you can take to reduce your risk of contracting the disease. You may want to check these out, especially if you’re sexually active:
Never skip out on the condom
While a latex or polyurethane condom may not completely remove the risk of getting infected, it can significantly reduce it, especially if it covers the area of infection completely.
If your partner has herpes, use a condom every time you have sex, regardless of whether symptoms are present or not.
Abstain from sex during an active infection
The transmission of the herpes virus accelerates during an active infection. Avoid any skin-to-skin contact during breakouts—and yes, that includes kissing, especially if the blisters are located around the mouth.
Avoid sharing utensils
Oral herpes is spread through saliva, cold sores and fever blisters, and sharing utensils with an infected person while he or she is going through a flare up could increase your chances of contracting the virus.
Choose sexual partners carefully
Many people with genital herpes don’t know they carry the virus until the infection emerges. It is quite easy to get infected by a carrier during sex, regardless of whether they have active symptoms or not.
Ask your sexual partners to be upfront with you about any STDs they may have, even if it is embarrassing. They may be open to sharing their sexual history with you depending on their comfort level, but it always helps to know beforehand to help you prevent a transmission.
Limit your sexual partners
While a latex or polyurethane condom may not completely remove the risk of getting infected, it can significantly reduce it, especially if it covers the area of infection completely.
If your partner has herpes, use a condom every time you have sex, regardless of whether symptoms are present or not.
Abstain from sex during an active infection
The transmission of the herpes virus accelerates during an active infection. Avoid any skin-to-skin contact during breakouts—and yes, that includes kissing, especially if the blisters are located around the mouth.
Avoid sharing utensils
Oral herpes is spread through saliva, cold sores and fever blisters, and sharing utensils with an infected person while he or she is going through a flare up could increase your chances of contracting the virus.
Choose sexual partners carefully
Many people with genital herpes don’t know they carry the virus until the infection emerges. It is quite easy to get infected by a carrier during sex, regardless of whether they have active symptoms or not.
Ask your sexual partners to be upfront with you about any STDs they may have, even if it is embarrassing. They may be open to sharing their sexual history with you depending on their comfort level, but it always helps to know beforehand to help you prevent a transmission.
Limit your sexual partners
The more sexual partners you have, the more you are exposing your genitals to the herpes virus. Be selective; have as few sexual partners as you can. It might also help to ask any potential partners about their sexual history to judge chances of them being a carrier.
Thoroughly clean sex objects after use
This is especially true if you share sex toys with your partner, regardless of whether either of you is a carrier. Thoroughly clean items with soap and warm water after use. Use protection even when using sex objects.
Get regular checkups
While there is no cure for herpes after you’ve been infected, you can take antiviral medication to reduce your risk of contraction. Getting yourself tested regularly, especially if you have an infected partner can allow your doctor to advise you about the risks and medicine dosages you need to take to keep the virus at bay.
About The Underground Cure
The Underground Cure is your ultimate guide to living with herpes. Whether you’re looking for preventative measures to take, home remedies for herpes, herpes medicine to reduce symptoms or just looking for more information on the virus, we have all the information you need.
Thoroughly clean sex objects after use
This is especially true if you share sex toys with your partner, regardless of whether either of you is a carrier. Thoroughly clean items with soap and warm water after use. Use protection even when using sex objects.
Get regular checkups
While there is no cure for herpes after you’ve been infected, you can take antiviral medication to reduce your risk of contraction. Getting yourself tested regularly, especially if you have an infected partner can allow your doctor to advise you about the risks and medicine dosages you need to take to keep the virus at bay.
About The Underground Cure
The Underground Cure is your ultimate guide to living with herpes. Whether you’re looking for preventative measures to take, home remedies for herpes, herpes medicine to reduce symptoms or just looking for more information on the virus, we have all the information you need.
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