Your 26-Year-Old Female Patient Reports a History of Herpes Simplex

Your 26-year-old female patient reports a history of herpes simplex type 2 infection. On physical examination, you note red blisters over the vulva region. When questioned about sexual activity, she explains that her partner uses a condom whenever her infectious blisters are present. The clinician should recognize:

A) The herpes virus can be transmitted during the patient's asymptomatic periods
B) If the lesions are herpes simplex type 1, then the virus is not contagious
C) Only herpes simplex type 2 infects the genital region, and it is always contagious
D) When the blisters rupture, viral particles are transmitted to a sexual partner