Prevention is difficult since the virus can be spread to others when the infected person has no evidence of a current outbreak; however, avoiding direct contact with an open lesion will lower the risk of infection.

People with genital herpes should avoid sexual contact when active lesions are present. Safer sex behaviors including the use of condoms may also lower the risk of infection.

Individuals with active herpetic lesions should also avoid contact with newborns, children with eczema or immunosuppressed individuals as these groups are at higher risk for more severe disease.

In pregnant women with active herpes simplex infection at the time of delivery, a cesarean delivery (C-section) is recommended to decrease the risk of infecting the newborn.