However , Herpes is a common viral infection spread primarily through skin-to-skin contact, including kissing or sexual contact. To avoid herpes, practice safe sex by using protection, avoid sharing personal items, and refrain from contact with active sores. Regular health check-ups and honest communication with partners also help reduce the risk. Herpes simplex virus lives inside of nerve cells and alternates between being inactive and active. Certain triggers can reactivate the virus including: illness or fever, sun exposure, menstrual period, injury, emotional stress, surgery. For people whose oral herpes is activated by sunlight, avoiding sun exposure and wearing sunscreen can lower the risk of recurrences. To decrease symptoms of herpes, people can: drink cold drinks or suck on popsicles, use over-the-counter pain medicines. For genital herpes, people can: sit in a warm bath for 20 minutes (without soap), wear loose fitting clothes, use over-the-counter pain medicines