How do I avoid getting Herpes?...

Condoms are the recommended way to prevent transmission of herpes simplex infection, as demonstrated in research. However, this is by no means completely effective. The effectiveness of this method is somewhat limited on a public health scale by the limited use of condoms in the community ; and on an individual scale because some blisters may not be covered by the condom (more common in women than men).

Valaciclovir.

When one partner has herpes simplex infection and the other doesn't, the use of valaciclovir, in conjunction with a condom, has been demonstrated to further decrease the chances of transmission to the uninfected partner, and the FDA approved this as a new indication for the drug in August 2003.


Other measures that have been suggested include:

• Use of a lip protectant or lip gloss
• Management of stress
• Adequate sleep and nutrition
• Avoidance of cross-infecting different sites on the body if HSV blisters are present