When Is Herpes Most Contagious?
The herpes virus is most contagious during and just before a person has an outbreak. Herpes outbreaks often appear as a rash, bumps, or one or more sores around the genitals or the mouth, which can progress to blisters. Initial outbreaks are sometimes associated with fevers and flu-like symptoms. If you see anything appearing like that on yourself or a partner, avoid sexual contact, including kissing if the symptoms are on the face.
Even if there are no visible lesions, herpes can be spread through a process known as shedding. During shedding, the herpes virus is active on the skin, usually where the person has had symptoms before. As a result, any type of genital, oral, or skin-to-skin contact with the virus may transmit it. There is no way to know when another person is shedding, but safer sex practices significantly minimize the risk of contracting herpes.
Let’s start by talking about when herpes is contagious. It might sound obvious, but the first fact to know is this: Herpes is most contagious during an outbreak. That goes for genital herpes and cold sores from oral herpes.
For genital herpes, you should stop having sex at the first sign of any impending outbreak. According to the World Health Organization, an outbreak may be preceded by mild tingling or shooting pain in the hips, legs, and buttocks (1).
If your doctor has prescribed you medication, this is the best time to take it to stop the outbreak in its tracks. The CDC’s 2015 sexually transmitted disease guidelines state that while Valtrex may be used to treat HSV-2, Acyclovir or Famciclovir can also be used (2).
You should generally wait until after a herpes outbreak heals and resolves to resume having sex. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, sexual contact should be avoided until the sores dry and the scabs fall off, which takes approximately 10-14 days (3).
While condoms can help reduce the risk of spreading herpes, they are not completely safe. Any affected areas not covered by the condom may still provide a way for herpes to spread through skin-to-skin contact (4). Even after a herpes outbreak heals, the risk of transmission may still be present due to viral shedding.
Viral Shedding
When you aren’t having a herpes outbreak, the virus is mostly dormant. However, it is still important to exercise precautions to decrease the risk of passing it to your partner.
The issue is that sometimes, even when you aren’t having an outbreak, you will have periods of “asymptomatic viral shedding”. Although you might not notice any usual symptoms of pain or sores, the virus may still be contagious.
That obviously makes things a little more tricky, so it’s important to manage your herpes in every way possible to reduce outbreaks and viral shedding periods. Here is a very detailed article about herpes viral shedding rates and risks.
When is Herpes Not Contagious? Reduce the Transmission Rate
Herpes is always potentially contagious, whether or not you see blisters. Although herpes is thought to be most contagious immediately before, during, and after blisters are present, the lack of blisters in between outbreaks does not equal not contagious.
There have been some very interesting studies done by Valtrex about the herpes transmission rate. One study found that suppressive therapy with Valtrex reduced transmission of herpes by 75%.
Within that same study, Valtrex reduced the total time of viral shedding by 73% when compared to the total viral shedding time without suppressive therapy.
There are three general guidelines to reduce the likelihood of transmission:
- Avoid sex during an outbreak;
- Use daily suppressive therapy, i.e. take Valtrex every day as prescribed by a doctor;
- Use condoms during sexual activity.
- Of course, by abstaining from sex, you will have the lowest chance of transmission. However, research has found that suppressive therapy may reduce the risk of transmission without the use of condoms in some cases. Approximately 37% of participants from the previously mentioned study reported not using condoms while on suppressive therapy.
We recommend you get the advice of your doctor and, if approved by them, follow all three methods if possible. Learn more about taking daily antivirals here.
Have a great sex life with herpes! Meet nearby people with herpes
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Is herpes contagious all the time?
Herpes is always potentially contagious, whether or not you see blisters. Although herpes is thought to be most contagious immediately before, during, and after blisters are present, the lack of blisters in between outbreaks does not equal not contagious.
Herpes is always potentially contagious, whether or not you see blisters. Although herpes is thought to be most contagious immediately before, during, and after blisters are present, the lack of blisters in between outbreaks does not equal not contagious.
The herpes virus is most contagious during and just before a person has an outbreak. Herpes outbreaks often appear as a rash, bumps, or one or more sores around the genitals or the mouth, which can progress to blisters. Initial outbreaks are sometimes associated with fevers and flu-like symptoms. If you see anything appearing like that on yourself or a partner, avoid sexual contact, including kissing if the symptoms are on the face.
Herpes is always potentially contagious, whether or not you see blisters. Although herpes is thought to be most contagious immediately before, during, and after blisters are present, the lack of blisters in between outbreaks does not equal not contagious.
Even if there are no visible lesions, herpes can be spread through a process known as shedding. During shedding, the herpes virus is active on the skin, usually where the person has had symptoms before. As a result, any type of genital, oral, or skin-to-skin contact with the virus may transmit it. There is no way to know when another person is shedding, but safer sex practices significantly minimize the risk of contracting herpes. Read more on when is it safe to have sex after herpes outbreak.Worry about herpes transmission? Meet nearby people with herpes.
PositiveSingles is one of the most popular dating websites for people suffering from herpes and other STD. It was initiated in 2001. With 1,510,800+ members you are sure to find lots of potentail people around you.
Join and meet nearby people with herpes, browse profiles and chat now!
Know more facts about herpes outbreak:
First herpes outbreak | Recurrent herpes outbreaks | Stages of a herpes outbreak | How long does a herpes outbreak last | How often do herpes outbreaks occur? | What can trigger herpes outbreaks? | How to recognize a herpes outbreak? | How to prevent herpes outbreaks | Viral shedding | Herpes treatment | How to strengthen your immune system