What is an 'OB'? Outbreak (OB) is the term used to refer to an active episode of the herpes virus, usually with blisters occurring.
What does the term 'prodrome' mean? Prodrome is the term used to describe the symptoms which some people experience before an active outbreak. Common prodrome symptoms can include tingling, redness, swollen glands, and/or neural pain in the legs or lower back. Can I spread Herpes when I am not experiencing an outbreak? Yes, herpes can be spread whilst no symptoms are present. The virus can be active at the skins surface and viral particles can be shed and passed on to another at this time. This is called 'asymptomatic shedding' because there are no symptoms present. The good news is that this occurs very rarely. The bad news is that without clinical testing it is impossible to know when this is occurring. How can I protect my partner? Abstain from sexual contact during an outbreak or prodrome because this is when the virus is most active on the skins surface.
