The truth is that you can face criminal charges if you give someone herpes. You can also face civil liability for exposing partners to sexually-transmitted diseases like herpes. The criminal charges and circumstances govern whether you could go to jail for giving someone herpes.

Is giving someone herpes illegal?

Laws on the topic vary from state to state. That being said, it is typically illegal, civilly and criminally, to knowingly or recklessly transmit an STD. Telling someone you have an STD is not the same obligation as knowingly transmitting an STD.

Can you go to jail for herpes?

They could be charged with the crime of willful exposure to an STD. They could be fined and go to jail, in addition to getting sued by the victim they exposed.

Can you sue someone for herpes?

Someone gave me a sexually transmitted infection (STI) - Can I sue them? The answer is yes. If your sexual partner has knowledge that they have an STI and doesnt tell you, then you have grounds to make a claim for compensation.

Would you still date someone with herpes?

Between outbreaks, its OK to have sex, as long as your partner understands and accepts the risk that they may contract herpes. For example, as long as you dont have herpes sores on your mouth, you can perform oral sex on your partner, including when you have an outbreak of genital symptoms.