Yes! According to a 2010 study conducted by Emily T. Martin and others, there is a high risk of herpes transmission during protected sex when one of the partners is herpes-positive. The probability reaches 50% to 70%.

Is genital herpes contagious all the time?

Most oral and genital herpes infections are asymptomatic. Symptoms of herpes include painful blisters or ulcers at the site of infection. Herpes infections are most contagious when symptoms are present but can still be transmitted to others in the absence of symptoms.