 [ Symptoms ] what should i tell my partner if i have genital herpes [ Disease ] you should tell any sex partner that you have genital herpes it is important to learn all you can about genital herpes and share that information then you and your partner can make an informed decision about sex tell a partner that there is always a chance of getting the virus from you but that there are ways to reduce the risk such as using latex condoms and avoiding sex when you have symptoms there are plenty of reasons why you should communicate openly your partner may have infected you and he or she should know it may also help your relationship in the long run your partner is likely to appreciate your honesty when breaking the news explain how common genital herpes is about one in five adults in the u s are infected you can say it is like having cold sores on the mouth which 50 to 80 of all adults in the u s have except the virus has infected your genitals it will also help if you are calm when talking to your partner and approach the discussion with a positive attitude i think we can work this out so that we will both be happy  not this will probably tear us apart but  if you were sexually intimate with your partner before you were diagnosed with genital herpes he or she should be tested for the virus