Because the virus can be transmitted during an outbreak and it is likely that the virus can be transmitted during asymptomatic shedding (described earlier), it’s important to know when outbreaks are occurring. Some people with herpes infections believe that they can tell when they are having an outbreak, that they always have some warning sign that lets them know ahead of time. However, this is not always true. In the case of asymptomatic shedding, unfortunately, no one knows for sure when shedding days occur. Some people shed as infrequently as a few days out of the year, whereas others may be shedding as often as several days per month. People seem to shed the virus more frequently around the time of symptomatic outbreaks, such as during the week before and after an outbreak, but it’s possible to shed at any time. However, it is important to keep in mind that people with herpes are not always shedding virus.
When genital or oral symptoms are present, genital and oral sex or kissing should be avoided with an uninfected partner, because this is a very risky time for transmission. People should consider themselves as “having an outbreak” from the appearance of the first symptom until the lesion is replaced by normal-appearing skin. Even if you are not sure whether the symptoms are from an outbreak, play it safe. Using a condom for genital sex at this time does not necessarily offer full protection, because a person may be shedding virus outside the area that a condom protects.
Symptoms that may indicate that the virus is active are tingling; itching; a red area or bump that may or may not be painful; a slit in the skin; an ulcer, blister, or pustule; or leg pain. These are warning signs that the virus may be on the surface of the skin and that one may therefore transmit the virus to others.
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