As there is no cure for herpes, you should always wear a condom while having sex. But can you get genital herpes from a cold sore? The answer is yes.
There are two types of herpes: HSV-1 and HSV-2 (Herpes Simplex Virus). Although most of the time HSV-1 infects the lips and HSV-2 infects the genitals it is possible to transmit the two herpes viruses to their less preferred sites during oral sex. HSV-1 is responsible for 50% of all cases of genital herpes.
I would not worry too much about catching HSV-1 on the lips as 50 to 80% of people already have it. But nonetheless you should be careful while participating in oral sex, because yes, you can catch genital herpes from a cold sore. My suggestion is to refrain from oral sex if your partner or yourself is having an outbreak, any kind of pimple or rash. It doesn’t necessarily means herpes, but don’t take any chance.
