Is It OK to Go Swimming If You Have a Herpes Outbreak?
Key takeaways:
The herpes virus is transmitted through close contact with another person.
You can’t transmit herpes to another person through water. It’s safe to share a pool or hot tub with someone who has a herpes outbreak.
But, you might not want to go swimming if you have an active herpes infection because chlorine and saltwater can irritate sores and worsen pain.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is responsible for oral and genital herpes outbreaks. There are two particularly common types of this virus. HSV-1 often causes oral herpes, which can cause cold sores, fever blisters, and tongue herpes. And HSV-2 often causes genital herpes, which can cause painful blisters on the genitals or anus.
There are many misconceptions about how the herpes virus can pass from person to person. These misconceptions can lead to confusion and unnecessary stress. One misconception is whether the herpes virus can spread through water. If you’re going on vacation or just headed to a local pool, here’s what you need to know about water and herpes transmission.
Can you pass herpes to other people through water?
No, herpes can’t be transmitted through water. The herpes virus won’t travel through water and then land on another person.
HSV passes from person to person through direct contact. To get herpes, your body has to touch someone else. Direct contact could include things like kissing or vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Cold sores are contagious. Learn how long cold sores remain contagious and how to avoid spreading them to others.
Genital herpes is contagious, too. But there are steps you can take to lower the risk of spreading herpes to your sexual partners.
Living with herpes isn’t always easy. Read one person’s account of what it’s like to live with herpes.
Is it possible to get herpes from a hot tub or pool?
No, herpes won’t spread from person to person through objects. So, you won’t get herpes by touching a swimming pool or hot tub. Plus, chlorine in pools and hot tubs will kill the virus.
“The herpes virus is most easily transmitted by direct contact with lesions from another person who is actively infected,” says Dr. Shiv Sudhakar, an infectious disease physician in Northern California.
It’s possible to pick up oral herpes from sharing personal items, like silverware and razors, with someone who has a cold sore. But this isn’t common.
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“It’s much harder to get herpes when it’s outside the body, like on objects, such as toilet seats, bedding, or soap,” Dr. Sudhakar explains. “The virus doesn’t last very long — probably only several hours — outside the body.”
Can you go swimming with a herpes outbreak?
Yes, you can go swimming with a herpes outbreak. But you may not want to.
Swimming in pools or an ocean with an open sore puts you at risk for irritation and pain. Salt water can be painful and irritating on genital sores. Chlorine can also lead to pain and irritate sores.
Hot tubs can be especially painful and irritating because hot water can cause further damage to inflamed skin. Hot water doesn’t cure herpes or make outbreaks heal faster.
Tips to make it easier to go swimming with a herpes outbreak
If you’re going swimming during a herpes outbreak, here are some tips that can help keep you comfortable:
Wear a swimsuit. Don’t go skinny-dipping when you have an outbreak. Cover your herpes blisters before going for a swim. A swimsuit will protect against accidental contact with others. It can also lessen pain and irritation from chlorine and salt, since a swimsuit is a barrier between your skin and the water.
Keep up with medication. It can be tempting to skip your medication while on vacation. Medication can’t cure herpes, but taking it daily can help prevent herpes outbreaks and viral shedding. Medication can also help shorten the duration of an outbreak, if you start taking it when you first start feeling symptoms. Sticking with your daily therapy can help you heal faster, so you can get back to enjoying your vacation without worry.
Wear sunscreen. Sunlight can trigger a herpes flare. Make sure to apply sunscreen, including lip balm with sun protection factor (SPF). This can help you avoid a herpes outbreak while you’re on vacation.
The bottom line
HSV causes oral and genital herpes. You can pass herpes to other people through close contact. But you can’t pass herpes to others by swimming in a pool, hot tub, or the ocean. You can go swimming if you have a herpes outbreak. But you may not want to because salt and chlorine can irritate your sores. Wearing a swimsuit can help you avoid irritation from the water.
Why trust our experts?
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About genital herpes.
Cuddy, S. R., et al. (2020). Neuronal hyperexcitability is a DLK-dependent trigger of herpes simplex virus reactivation that can be induced by IL-1. eLife.
Groves, M. J. (2016). Genital herpes: A review. American Family Physician.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. (n.d.). Herpes simplex virus.
Zhu, S., et al. (2021). Pathogenesis and virulence of herpes simplex virus. Virulence.
