While no method can guarantee the prevention of a fetus or baby from acquiring an infection, a person can lower the risk by:
taking antiviral medications a doctor prescribes toward the end of pregnancy
having a C-section birth if doctors think there is a high risk of a baby contracting an infection during natural childbirth
stopping breastfeeding if they notice a sore on or around the nipple, until they can have an HSV test
covering active cold sores and washing their hands regularly
avoiding kissing a baby until a cold sore has completely healed