1. Genital herpes is caused by herpes viruses- HSV1 and HSV2. HSV2 rarely causes cold sores but HSV1 that causes cold sores can easily infect the genitals.

2. Anybody with cold sores can infect your genitals with herpes if they have active outbreak of cold sores.

3. A person showing no signs of active sores may also cause genital herpes. Such people shed the virus through their saliva and mucous membranes. This type of virus shedding is called asymptomatic shedding.

4. Before active break out of cold sores a person may begin shedding virus. This is called the prodrome phase.

5. Please find out more about your partner. You may wish to know if they have cold sores. If they show no signs blood screening will tell about the status of their health.

6. If your partner has the problem of cold sores, please keep away from sexual activity during the prodrome phase and active break out.

7. Tingling sensations on the skin will give indication of the prodrome phase.

Please note that once herpes virus enters your body you cannot remove it. Most of us get cold sores during our childhood and then may infect others with genital herpes innocently. Please protect yourself.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.