Having sex with herpes on buttock

I have a new partner of 3 months.

I caught genital herpes about 18 years ago, and I have not had a herpes outbreak for years. I very very rarely have any blistors on my genitals, but every year or so, I might get a couple of blistors in my buttock, near to the top, in the crack and this never lasts long, so I havent thought about it for a long while.

I unfortunately now have 2 very small blistors at the top of my buttock. I am at day 6 of healing and have not had any sexual contact for 10 days.

As I am going away with my partner on holiday tomorrow, can you tell me what my options are.

- can we have sex with a condom?
- is it OK as long as there is no contact with the outbreak?
- I have put a small cold sore patch on the buttock (compeed), this covers it and is comfortable. Will this be enough to protect us?

What are the actual risks? I am not at a point when I can talk about this with my partner.

Thanks

[gracefromHHP]

When you have ob's on your buttock area, you are still most likely shedding the virus from the vaginal area too. You should avoid sex until it's completely healed.  Covering the lesions won't protect a partner. A condom also is not 100% protection. The best bet is to avoid sex until the ob is completely over.

I know, not the info you wanted to hear before leaving on a vacation together :(

If you are having sex with someone and haven't talked about having herpes yet, it's way past time to do so.  You can transmit the virus even when symptoms aren't present so it's something to talk about before being sexually active with someone.

grace