Herpes Symptoms

Herpes prevention is something that you can take care of.  If you are suffering from herpes, you need to realize that your sexual partners do not need to suffer from the condition as well. 

Abstain From Sex

Perhaps the most important and the best method for herpes prevention is to not have sex or intimate contact with an individual that is having a herpes outbreak.  Most spreading of the virus happens when the individual is having an outbreak.  An outbreak is the occurrence of red, bumpy skin that often will become a blister before it breaks open and scabs over.  This cycle can last several days, or weeks, and there is no telling when an outbreak will happen.  In addition, outbreaks of oral herpes cause cold sores and blisters on the mouth, in the mouth and in that area of your body.  Avoid kissing, touching or sharing any utensils with individuals that have this type of an outbreak.

Also, do realize that the herpes virus can present in very mild symptoms, which could in turn cause you to believe that no outbreak is happening.  In some cases, no outbreak is needed to cause the herpes virus to spread.  It is very important to consider the overall risks you take when having sex or intimate connection with a person.

Steps To Reduce Outbreaks And Transmission

There are several things you can do to reduce the number of outbreaks that you have.  Here are some considerations.

• Stay knowledgeable about herpes.  Know what the herpes types are and know what the symptoms of herpes look like.  This is one of the best ways to know when a person is having an outbreak of herpes which you can avoid.
• Realize that the herpes virus will spread from person to person from skin to skin contact.  You cannot get the illness from a toilet seat or from other methods, though you should monitor the amount of exposure you get during an outbreak.
• Let your partner know you are suffering from herpes. Not only do they have the right to know, but they should know that you can spread it to them with sexual intercourse or oral sex.
• Condoms can greatly reduce your risks, but they may not be enough.  That is because the herpes virus can cause outbreaks to happen outside of the region of the condom coverage.  In addition, you can spread the herpes virus through oral sex as well as through kissing, when an outbreak occurs of oral herpes.
• Herpes and pregnancy are very worrisome combinations.  Be sure to talk to your doctor about your herpes experience so that you can protect your child from contracting herpes.
  

Herpes Treatment

In herpes prevention, nothing (besides abstaining from sex) is more helpful to you than having treatment for herpes.  Herpes treatment will help you in several ways.  First, these medications will help to minimize the number of outbreaks you have.  This decreases the amount of risk you have of passing along the condition to your loved ones.  In addition to this, the herpes virus can still form an outbreak, but medications can help to limit the intensity and the duration of it.  This too helps to minimize the risks of passing it on.

Know all you can about herpes and the herpes virus prevention you can take on.  Doing so will protect your loved ones from contracting this disease.