There is always a chance of spreading herpes, period. Valtrex did a study which showed that, with supressive drug therapy AND condoms, they had reduced spreading to partners.
If you're having an outbreak, you should avoid genital and/or mouth contact. You *can* spread herpes 2 to genitals and herpes 1 to the mouth. Even when you are *not* having an outbreak, however, your skin cells are still shedding the virus, hence the ability to spread.
I know two people who have gotten herpes from a partner who was not having an outbreak at the time. Being protected, and protecting the people you care about, is the most important thing- all the time.
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Date: 2006-08-09 08:43 pm (UTC)If you're having an outbreak, you should avoid genital and/or mouth contact. You *can* spread herpes 2 to genitals and herpes 1 to the mouth. Even when you are *not* having an outbreak, however, your skin cells are still shedding the virus, hence the ability to spread.
I know two people who have gotten herpes from a partner who was not having an outbreak at the time. Being protected, and protecting the people you care about, is the most important thing- all the time.