Type 1 herpes is so common - with most statistics indicating that the majority of adults in North America have acquired it - that its presence carries almost no stigma. That said, there are a few precautions to avoid transmission if you are in the unlucky minority who displays symptoms of the infection.
If you get occasional cold sores as a result of herpes 1, this can be embarrassing and unpleasant, but no cause to avoid intimacy with others when you are outbreak-free. Naturally, you'll want to avoid kissing or engaging in oral sex until the cold sores have completely healed.
It is certainly wise to avoid giving oral sex if you are experiencing an outbreak, but even with an outbreak you are introducing the virus to an area of the body that weakens it considerably. The location of latency for herpes 1 is within a collection of nerve cells within the ear, with the symptoms displayed on the lips and face. When herpes 1 is transferred to the genitalia, it is weakened to the point where the notion of recurring herpes 1 outbreaks on your partners' genitals is highly unlikely.
The bigger problem when it comes to type 1 herpes transmission is with babies. The herpes infection can wreak havoc on a baby's health, as they have not acquired the immune response to deal with it. For this reason, if you are experiencing an outbreak, you need to avoid kissing a baby or touching it without thoroughly washing your hands.
These are the basic guidelines regarding herpes 1 transmission. It is really more of an aesthetic problem than a health issue, but even the ugly outbreaks have a general habit of reducing drastically over time.
To learn more about dating and relating with a herpes infection, read my review of the popular STD dating site Positive Singles.
