# Genital Herpes: Useful info for those looking for answers like me! **URL:** \ **Category:** Sexual health\ **Tags:** Genital herpes simplex\ **Created:** [20 October 2015 08:10 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/genital-herpes-useful-info-for-those-looking-for-answers-like-me/482438 "2015-10-20T08:10:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 6
**Author:** ![anon53727290](https://community.patient.info/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@anon53727290](https://community.patient.info/u/anon53727290)\ **Post date:** [20 October 2015 08:19 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/genital-herpes-useful-info-for-those-looking-for-answers-like-me/482438/6 "2015-10-20T08:19:08Z")
**When is genital HSV most contagious?** Genital HSV-2 is more contagious than genital HSV-1, since it is associated with more outbreaks and more asymptomatic shedding in between outbreaks. New infections are more contagious, and newly infected individuals would appear to be more contagious during the first year, which is why suppresive therapy may be advisable in some cases. An individual is also most contagious just before and during an outbreak, so during the prodrome period (usually one day before the appearance of lesions) until the lesions have fully healed. Sex should be avoided during this time. Even if a full-blown outbreak can be avoided by taking antiviral meds, I have read that it is advisable to wait 3-4 days before sex. [https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-advocates-arizona/blog/std-awareness-asymptomatic-shedding-of-herpes](https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-advocates-arizona/blog/std-awareness-asymptomatic-shedding-of-herpes)/ HSV-2 shedding in symptomatic vs asymptomatic individuals -[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3144252](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3144252)/ --- _[View the full topic](https://community.patient.info/t/genital-herpes-useful-info-for-those-looking-for-answers-like-me/482438)._