There is no cure for genital herpes. However, changing your lifestyle and some behaviors can lower your risk of contracting the virus or spreading the virus to others.

Lower Your Risk of Contracting or Spreading Genital Herpes

Change Your Sexual Practices

  • Abstain or refrain from sex.
    • This is the most certain way to avoid contracting genital herpes.
  • Have a long-term mutually monogamous (only one exclusive sexual partner) with someone who does not have genital herpes.
  • If you are infected, do not have sexual contact with anyone when you have an outbreak.
  • Always use a condom whenever you have sex.
    • It is important to know that the virus can be found on the skin in areas that are not covered by a condom, so even with protection, there is still some chance you can spread the virus to others.

Change Your Habits

  • Don’t kiss other people when you have a cold sore (a blister due to HSV-1 found around your mouth).
  • Don’t have oral sex when you have a cold sore.
    • An increasing number of genital herpes cases are caused by HSV-1.

Communicate With Your Partner

  • Talk and work with your partner to avoid contracting and spreading the virus.

Be Informed

  • Medications that prevent pregnancies, such as birth control pills, hormonal shots, spermicides, IUDs, and diaphragms do not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases.
  • Recognize when you are most contagious.
  • Know that you can spread the virus even if you do not have any visible sores or are not experiencing an outbreak.

Prevent Spreading

  • Don't touch any visible sores or blisters.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water if you do touch a sore or blister.
  • Wash your hands frequently during the day even if you haven’t touched a sore to prevent unintentionally spreading the virus.
  • Make sure not to spread the virus to other parts of your body, such as your mouth or your eyes by touching sores and then touching these uninfected areas.
  • Take medications, such as valacyclovir, that are approved by the FDA for use in preventing the spread of genital herpes.
    • You should know that taking valacyclovir only reduces the risk of transmission by 50%.
    • A better way to protect you and your partner is to take valacyclovir and use a condom.