Using protection like condoms and dental dams when you have sex helps to lower your risk of getting an STD. Herpes can live on areas of your body that aren't protected by condoms (like the scrotum, butt cheeks, upper thighs, and labia), so condoms won't always protect you from herpes.

How well do condoms protect against herpes?

It showed that proper condom use prevents infection in 96% of infected-male/herpes-free-female and 65% of infected-female/herpes-free-male sexual encounters. However, over the long term, condom use resulted in only a 30% reduction in herpes transmission.

Can you sleep with someone with herpes and not get it?

Yes. Herpes can be passed on even if a partner has no sores or other signs and symptoms of an outbreak. And if a partner has a herpes outbreak, it's even more likely to be spread. Even when a person doesn't have visible sores, the only surefire way to protect against getting genital herpes is abstinence.