Yep. In fact that's how a lot of people get it.
Let's do a quick review about herpes: it's a virus, called herpes simplex virus. Herpes basically likes to live wherever it can take root (you can get sores on your fingers, face, and even your brain in rare cases), but common locations are your mouth, your genitals, and your anus.
Herpes is transmitted through sores, which shed the virus, and it's fairly infectious. So, if you have unprotected sexual contact with someone, whatever area touches the sores will manifest with herpes symptoms.
The good news is that if you don't touch your sore, the virus won't spread elsewhere on the body on its own; you'll just have what amounts to a painful massive zit on your mouth. The bad news is that you will now intermittently get cold sores for the rest of your life.
How can they be prevented? Common sense and condoms. If your partner has herpes, he or she should be rather insistent on condom use, and yes, you need to use a female condom if you're a woman with herpes, as it covers your labia. So, if your partner wants you to go down on him, he should break out the condom. Otherwise, I recommend handjobs and maybe gloves.
I just want to throw out there that there are other ways to contract the herpes virus other than sucking dick. I was a kid who got cold sores and growing up all it was assumed, by adults even, that I must have had sexual contact in some way. In middle school it was used as a way to bully people.
So you also want might to throw out there that people, especially children, can pick up herpes in other ways too. There's enough of a stigma that herpes is only spread sexually.
Rei, you're 100% correct. Thanks for bringing that up!
I guess I didn't read the answer like you did, but I'm pretty sure it mentions that you can get herpes through contact with herpes sores. . .
Contact means contact, not sex.
It is also important to note that herpes can still be spread WITH the use of a condoms since outbreaks can occur where the condom doesnt cover. Bottom line, if you or your partner are having an outbreak just dont have sex.
Also, oral herpes is one of the most common viruses around. It can be spread by sharing lip gloss or drinking out of the same cup as someone who has it. Be careful and good luck!
Just to add to the herpes-spreading knowledge:
There are two forms of herpes simplex virus that like humans: oral herpes and genital herpes.
Oral herpes- 80% of the population has it! This is what causes MOST cold sores.
Genital herpes- about 25% of the population has it. This is what causes MOST cases of genital sores.
That being said, the "oral"/"genital" distinction in their names is only where they tend to "nest" in most people. You can get oral herpes on your genitals (much less severe/a big deal than genital herpes there), and you can get genital herpes in your mouth. But if you already have cold sores, you are unlikely to get another strain of herpes nesting there too.
And like lily said, condoms do not prevent 100% of transmission.
You can shed the virus even if you don't actively have sores, so condoms and dental dams are ALWAYS necessary if one of you has herpes. If one of you is having an outbreak, you need to completely abstain from sexual activity until the sores heal. And yes, oral herpes especially is crazily common, and yes it can be picked up via means other than sexual contact. However, that said, herpes is more an annoyance than anything else; it won't kill you, give you cancer, or make you infertile like other STDs can.
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Can wearing boxers and underneath that a latex underwear that has a hole and ring that attaches to a condom to prevent herpes?
my boyfriend has a cold sore right know and i am wondering since i am on my period and he wants head for the week am i going to catch it?
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