🙂 Hi @walk_on_walls! this is a really good question. The reality is that it’s not possible to 100% avoid herpes. Kissing or having sex with someone you like is really healthy so we don’t want to stop that! There are many ways to reduce the risk…these include not having sex if there are any sores or broken skin on the penis, testes, vagina or bum as well as not kissing or having oral sex if there are signs of cold sores on the lips. Using condoms or dental dams (for oral sex) does help a lot too. If a person has symptoms of herpes, they also can take antiviral medication which may reduce the risk of passing it on by 50%.
You’re right in that herpes is common. The good news is that herpes may never be a physical health issue for most people.