Unprotected Sex With Herpes

Sex life can get difficult when one or both partners have herpes. And if you recently found out that you had unprotected sex with herpes, you may likely have the infection too. 

Continue reading to find out the consequences of having unprotected sex with a herpes-infected person, what to do about it, and how you can have a healthy sex life even with the infection.

First things first, avoid sexual contact with anyone when you have a herpes outbreak. Herpes is most contagious when you have sores and blisters on your mouth and genitals. Abstain from vaginal, anal, and oral sex completely when you have visible symptoms.

Can you have unprotected sex with herpes? No. Whether the infection is asymptomatic or not, you cannot risk yourself or your partner getting herpes by having unprotected sex. Depending on the individual, the infection can have symptoms or not have them at all. But regardless, herpes can transmit from one person to another through unprotected sex.

It is crucial to use a latex condom during any form of sex to prevent the virus's transmission. According to research, condoms do not prevent the infection 100%, but they can provide at least some protection. 

In addition to using condoms, you can take antiviral drugs prescribed by your doctor to reduce infection chances. The drug therapy suppresses the outbreak frequency and also lessens the shedding of the virus from your body.

What should you do after having unprotected sex with herpes? The only ideal thing you can do after having unprotected sex with herpes is to consult your healthcare provider. Avoid sex completely for the time being, and talk to your doctor about how you can keep herpes suppressed. 

If you don’t want to go to a doctor immediately, you can always take an STD test from one of the several STD clinics in the city confidentially. You will likely get the test results in a day or two and determine whether you have herpes or any STD. If the result is positive, a doctor will talk to you privately about the matter and how you can still have a healthy sex life with herpes.