Herpes shedding on the thigh

[newly]

I was  diagnosed with herpes type two a few months ago. I am confused about the shedding process. My intiial outbreak was on my upper, innermost thigh. I know that herpes is very contagious when you have an outbreak. However, I don't understand the shedding process. Will the area of my body be most contagious where I have had an outbreak- ie, will I be shedding on my upper thigh specifically and therefore condoms will not decrease the risk of passing it on as it does with other people who have herpes? I am pretty worried about passing it on to a potential partner, even when on meds, condoms, and abstaining when I have an outbreak. It seems impossible to avoid contact while shedding on my thigh  dring sex unless I wrap my entire body in saranwrap. Any clarification on this matter would be really great.

[petal130]

How were you diagnosed? HSV1 or HSV2?

If you have herpes on your thigh, then you have it genitally. It infects the entire anogenital area regardless of where your outbreaks are located, in the "boxer short" area as we refer to it as. So yes, you can shed from that entire genital area periodically.

Here are the stats for male to female transmission rates:

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.