Transmission & Its Risks
How genital herpes is    transmitted
How to reduce the risk of    transmission
Are you doing all that you    can?

Do you know how to reduce the risk of transmitting genital herpes?

If you don’t, ask your doctor about all of the ways to reduce transmission.

No One Wants to "Give" Genital Herpes to Anyone Else

How to reduce the risk of transmission

Despite the fact that genital herpes is so easily transmitted, there are more ways to reduce the risk of transmission than you may realize. You are less likely to pass the virus to your sexual partner if you know all the preventative options available to you. For starters:

Tell your partner you have genital herpes.
Whether you are in a stable relationship or not, your sexual partner needs to be informed. Telling your partner may not be easy but it’s necessary for you and your partner’s health. Once your partner knows you have genital herpes, reducing transmission becomes a shared responsibility and not yours to shoulder alone. Sharing this responsibility has been shown to reduce the risk of transmitting genital herpes.7 Besides, by telling your partner that you have genital herpes, you are showing that you care for his or her well-being.8

Abstain from sexual contact during outbreaks.
The risk of transmitting genital herpes is greatest during an outbreak. You should bear in mind that the virus can also be present and active in areas other than the site of the outbreak. At this time, you should refrain from all sexual contact, be it genital, oral or anal. This means from the onset of the outbreak or prodrome [?], until the outbreak is over and the sores have completely healed.

Practice safer sex at all times.
Condoms reduce the risk of passing on the herpes virus by 50% – but only if they are used every time sexual activity takes place and are used properly as follows:2,6

Using a male condom:

  • Place the condom on the penis when complete erection has occurred and before there is any contact with the vagina, mouth or anus.
  • Squeeze air out of the reservoir tip of the condom as you unroll it down the shaft of the penis. Do not unroll the condom before putting it on.
  • After ejaculation, when the penis is still erect, hold the rim of the condom as the penis is withdrawn, being careful not to let any of the semen out.
  • Dispose of the condom safely by putting it in the garbage. Do not flush it down the toilet.
  • Wash your hands after touching the used condom, especially before touching mucous membranes like your eyes or genitals.

Using a female condom.9

  • Female condoms can be inserted into the vagina prior to sexual intercourse.
  • The flexible ring at the closed end of the female condom is inserted into the vagina.
  • The flexible ring at the open end lies outside of the vagina to protect the vulva.
  • Make sure that when the penis enters the vagina, it is inside the condom.
  • The female condom does not have to be removed immediately after intercourse.
  • Dispose of the female condom safely by putting it in the garbage. Do not flush it down the toilet.
  • Wash your hands after touching the used condom, especially before touching mucous membranes like your eyes or genitals.

Note: You should not use oil, petroleum jelly or other petroleum lubricants with latex condoms. However water based lubricants can be used safely.2,6

Safer sex doesn’t necessarily mean the use of condoms alone. You can find sexual pleasure in other ways such as kissing and cuddling, sharing intimate thoughts and feelings, and quiet time spent together. What’s more, there are many benefits to safer sex, not the least of which is the peace of mind and reassurance that comes from knowing that you and your partner are taking some of the steps which can reduce the transmission of genital herpes – and potentially other sexually transmitted infections (STI) [?]. Safer sex also decreases the likelihood of an unwanted pregnancy and often enhances the intimacy of a relationship through open and honest communication.

Ask your doctor about Transmission Reduction Therapy.
As you now know, genital herpes can be passed on even when there are no signs or symptoms of an outbreak. Since you can never predict when or where the virus is active, you should inquire about treatment that can help further reduce the transmission of genital herpes to a sexual partner. Transmission Reduction Therapy when combined with safer sex practices is a recommended method that has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of transmission of genital herpes among heterosexual monogamous partners.6

Today, with safer sex practices and medication, there is no reason for you not to enjoy a normal social life and sexual relationships – just like anyone else. If you’d like to know more about medication that can reduce the risk of transmitting genital herpes – or other treatment options available for genital herpes – you should consult your doctor. At the same time, go prepared with any questions you may have about other aspects of genital herpes transmission. To help you, review the checklist which might serve as a guide to trigger discussion with your doctor about any concerns or issues that may be important to you.

References

 

1. Mertz GJ, Benedetti J, Ashley R, et al. Risk Factors for the Sexual Transmission of Genital Herpes. Annals of Internal Medicine 1992;116:197-202.

2. Sacks SL. The Truth About Herpes. 4th ed. West Vancouver, BC: Gordon Soules Book Publishers Ltd.;1997.

3. Ebel C, Wald A. Managing Herpes: How to Live and Love With a Chronic STD. Research Triangle Park, NC: American Social Health Association;2002.

4. Wald A, Zeh J, Selke S, et al. Genital Shedding of Herpes Simplex Virus Among Men. JID 2002;186(Suppl1):S34-S39.

5. Wald A, Zeh J, Selke S, et al. Virologic Characteristics of Subclinical and Symptomatic Genital Herpes Infections. NEJM 1995; 333(12):770-775.

6. Aoki, FY. Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections 2006 Edition: Genital Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infections. Public Health Agency of Canada. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/sti_2006/pdf/sti2006_e.pdf. Accessed May 15, 2006.

7. Wald A, Krantz E. Selke S, et al. Knowledge of partner’s genital herpes protects against herpes simplex virus type 2 acquisition. J Infect Dis 2006;194:42-52.

8. Green J, Ferrier S, Kocsis A, et al. Determinants of disclosure of genital herpes to partners. Sex Transm Infect 2003;79:42-44.

9. Health Canada. What You Need to Know About Sexually Transmitted Infections. Ottawa, ON: Health Canada; 2002. Available at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/std-mts/sti_s.html and http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/diseases-maladies/gonorrh_e.html.
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