Yes, you should tell your partner that you have Herpes. We will
assume that you have Herpes Simplex 1 or 2. Herpes
Simplex 1 causes Oral Herpes - Cold Sores.
Herpes Simplex 2 causes Genital Herpes.

Both types of Herpes Simplex are very contagious and spread via skin
to skin contact. They are both fairly harmless and usually have no
complications or side effects (other than the normal symptoms).

Once you've caught a Herpes Simplex
virus, it stays in your body for life and you risk passing it on
for life. It is mostly contagious when you have an outbreak, but
also just before an outbreak and in the viral shedding period
when the virus reproduces itself. Both types of
Herpes are contagious from the affected area only.

Tell Your Partner & Treat Your Herpes

You can't cure Genital or Oral Herpes, but you can treat it
with very good results.

Treating Oral Herpes - Cold Sores

To treat Oral Herpes you use a cream
containing antiviral agents, either Acyclovir or Penciclovir.
The cream is available over the counter in pharmacies and
will reduce the risk of spreading as well as reduce the severity,
duration and frequency of outbreaks.

You can find more on treating cold sores here.

Treating Genital Herpes

To treat Genital Herpes you take
a tablet containing an antiviral agent, either Famciclovir,
Valacyclovir or Acyclovir, available with a prescription from
your doctor. This will reduce the risk of spreading as well
as reduce the severity, duration and frequency of outbreaks.
For some people it may even eliminate future outbreaks.

You can find more on treating Genital Herpes here.

Preventing Your Partner from Catching Herpes

If you have Oral Herpes or Genital Herpes, you should not
only tell your partner, you should also take precautions to
avoid spreading the virus when you have an outbreak:

• Use antiviral treatment
• Avoid kissing if you have Oral Herpes
• Avoid sexual activity including oral sex
• Do not touch the affected area
• Wash your hands regularly

Herpes can't be cured, so the next best thing is to prevent
outbreaks. Apart from using antiviral treatment you should keep
your immune defense system boosted. The virus is more likely
to break out if your immune defense system is weak. Your immune
system stays strong if you:

• Maintain a healthy diet
• Keep yourself fit with daily exercise
• Get enough sleep
• Avoid stressful situations whenever possible

This way you will help keep the virus latent.

If you haven't already, you should see your doctor for diagnosis,
further advice and treatment if needed.

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