Call your health care provider if fever , headache , vomiting , or widespread symptoms develop during or after an outbreak of herpes. Prevention Prevention is difficult since the virus can be spread to others even when the infected person has no evidence of a current outbreak. However, avoiding direct contact with an open lesion will lower the risk of infection. People with genital herpes should avoid sexual contact when active lesions are present. People with known genital herpes but without current clinical symptoms should inform their partner that they have the disease.
Condoms remain the best protection against acquiring genital herpes.
Correct and consistent use of a condom will help prevent the transmission of the disease. Pregnant women with the herpes simplex infection should receive weekly viral cultures of the cervix and external genitalia as the delivery date approaches. The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group , where members share common experiences and problems. See herpes genital - support group . The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition.