Protecting yourself against herpes is not difficult. Herpes is a sexually transmitted virus. There are two types, HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 (Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1) predominantly infects the mouth. HSV-2 (Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2) is responsible for causing herpes outbreaks of the genitals. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 cause small, fluid-filled blisters that are extremely infectious. Because it is viral, there is no cure. Although millions of people are infected with this disease, it is easy to protect yourself.
Wash
Step 1 Wash your hands. It sounds very simple, but what your mother and grandmother told you is true. Keep your hands clean, and do not put your fingers into your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Step 2 Talk to your partner before having sex. Gone are the days when couples just jumped into the sack without talking. You need to know about your partner. In return, your partner deserves to know about you. If you have a disease, she deserves to know just as much as you deserve to know that about her. People who are sexually active run a higher risk of catching an STD. You need to know who you are sleeping with.
Step 3 Use condoms. Condoms are not going to keep you completely safe, but they will help. Condoms are not foolproof and they do not protect you 100 percent against all diseases, but using them can save your life. Use them!
Step 4 Schedule regular appointments with your physician. Both women and men need to see the doctor for check-ups annually. There are STDs that remain “silent.” Herpes is one of them. Only your doctor can perform the tests to diagnose and treat these diseases.
Step 5 Call your doctor and make an appointment to be seen right away if you experience any unusual symptoms.
Step 6 Don’t have unprotected oral sex. People will use condoms but then engage in unprotected oral sex. Diseases can be transmitted orally, too. Use a condom, latex, saran warp, or forget about being oral. It’s too risky. Do you want herpes blisters in your mouth?
Step 7Know your partner. It is perfectly okay to wait to have sex until you are completely comfortable with your partner and in a committed relationship. Monogamous relationships are the safest ones.
Step 8Abstain from having sex. The world will not fall apart and you won’t die if you choose to be celibate. Celibacy is cool and being healthy is even more cool. Do you really want to explain to your new partner that you have an incurable disease?
Step 9Learn what you can. Ask your doctor or clinic for more information about herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases. Planned Parenthood and other family planning clinics are also wonderful resources. Knowledge is power, so arm yourself with the facts.