The use of condoms during sexual intercourse, may reduce the risk of being infected with genital herpes by just one third. Consistent condom use reduces the risk of infection with herpes simplex virus-2 by 30 percent. To date, it was unclear what protection offering condoms in herpes infection in the genital area. This current study provides a good reference point because it is the largest analysis that has examined this relationship.

For their study, the U.S. scientists from six studies evaluated, which included information provided by participants to their condom use and sexual behavior and infection status with regard to herpes simplex 2 (HSV2) were determined. It was also queried how often the subjects were protected or unprotected sex.

Of a total of 5384 participants who were healthy at the beginning of the study, 415 people are stuck in the observation period of over 2 million days with HSV2. It was found that a consistent use of condoms, the risk of infection dropped by 30 percent compared to those who did not use any condoms. Conversely, increased with each unprotected sex act per week, the probability of infection by 16 percent. The protective effect of condoms was equally in men and women.

Although the advantage of condoms is not as high as for other sexually transmitted diseases that are transmitted through body fluids remains to be applied consistently at least a partial protection of 30 percent – which also emphasize the study authors. For an infection with Genital herpes is sexual contact with an infected partner, the biggest risk factor. Overall, skin contact, the virus can be transmitted directly. But oral sex carries risks, because the pathogens are then transmitted herpes blisters on the lips to the genitals, or vice versa. ” Herpes viruses remain after the infection for life in the body and can form several times in painful blisters. There are ways to treat the targeted disease, the virus is completely removed from the body, however, not possible.