Aa
Herpes HSV 2 Transmission
I have recently met a man I like, and he has told me that he has HSV 2. We have not slept together yet, in fact, it seems that he is doing things the "right way", e.g. letting me know abut this situatioh--when we are not about to have sex, etc., etc. I very much appreciate that. I would very happily sleep with him, but am confused about many posts regarding HSV 1 and 2, and a lot of information out there about what constitutes safe and unsafe sex.
I am a healthcare professional, he is not, so it is understandable that I actually understand the big picture in all this better than he does. I'd like to be sexually active with him, and not contract HSV. What are the "real" guidelines for safe sex in this situation? Condoms, condoms, all the way?
I am a healthcare professional, he is not, so it is understandable that I actually understand the big picture in all this better than he does. I'd like to be sexually active with him, and not contract HSV. What are the "real" guidelines for safe sex in this situation? Condoms, condoms, all the way?
You are absolutely right--I had assumed that I was better informed than others, but understand in the last while that I don't know my own status--
I have always thought that I'd been tested for HSV I and 2 when I was tested for HIV, and the other usual suspects--not so, really surprising. So that is next for me to do.
Thanks for the stats. It's reassuring, indeed.
I have always thought that I'd been tested for HSV I and 2 when I was tested for HIV, and the other usual suspects--not so, really surprising. So that is next for me to do.
Thanks for the stats. It's reassuring, indeed.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
Being a healthcare provider doesn't always mean one is fully educated about herpes. We have folks post whose doctors give completely erroneous information.
First and foremost both of you should have current herpes testing. Once you know your own status, then you can make decisions about condoms, suppressive therapy if necessary. Is your partner on suppressive therapy? Using condoms, and that, lowers your risk dramatically. Herpes is easily managed by discordant couples, and worth doing so if this guy is the one for you!
Here are the stats for male to female transmission rates. A 2-3% chance is lower than risk of pregnancy when using the pill or condom in most instances, if that gives you some perspective:
MALE TO FEMALE TRANSMISSION RATES (HSV 2 ONLY STATS IS NOT APPLICABLE FOR HSV 1) If you have 100 couples where the male has HSV 2 but not the female (these figures are over a year) the odds of male to female transmission are if you do nothing (other than avoid sex when there is an outbreak) 8-10 females out of a 100 will get herpes in a year, or 8-10%. If you do go on a suppressive therapy then it drops to 4-5 females out of a 100 in a year or 4-5%, and if you use suppressive therapy and a condom the chances are 2-3 females out of a 100 will get herpes in one year, or 2-3%.
The Valtrex and transmission study stats are based on having sex 2 times/week.
Become educated even further by reading the Herpes Handbook.
http://www.westoverheights.com/genital_herpes/handbook/view_the_chapters.html