This FAQ is a work in progress. It may contain questions to which we don’t currently have a satisfactory answer. If you’d like to suggest questions to add, please leave them in the comments below.

Please note, this information is published for your information only. Please do further research to ensure you are comfortable with the answers here. These are opinions and should be treated as such.

If I carry the herpes virus, when can I pass it on to other people?

At all times. The virus is present in your body all the time, but not always on the surface of your skin. It’s only when on the surface of your skin that you can pass the virus onto another person. While you have symptoms (sores or lesions) then the virus is in your skin and you can definitely pass it on. However, it is also possible to have the virus on your skin while you do not have symptoms. This is called asymptomatic shedding.

Do I need to tell sex partners I have the virus?

This is a difficult question. I’m not aware of any law which requires you to disclose any viruses you carry. Morally however, it’s more complicated. I believe disclosing your herpes virus can only be a good thing.

Are cold sores the same as genital herpes?

Herpes outbreaks can occur in any place on th body. There are multiple strains of the same virus, but all strains can cause outbreaks on any part of the body. For example, it is possible to get genital outbreaks as the result of oral sex (mouth to genital sex) with a person who has herpes outbreaks on their mouth.

What are the different types of herpes?

How do I know if I have herpes?

How can I treat herpes?

How can I reduce my risk of contracting herpes?

How is the herpes virus transmitted from one person to another?