How likely am I to contract genital type 2 after having genital type 1?

Ive had genital type 1 since january of this year and have recently starting dating a guy who has genital type 2. We have recently become sexually active. He is on suppressive everyday and wore a condom. How likley am I to contract his genital type 2? I would really hate to contract it. I have not had any obs since my first initial.

[AverageJohnny]

About 2% per year if you don't have sex during his outbreaks, he continues his antivirals, and you use condoms.

[SaiEstevez86]

Does that mean I am less likely to get it and having genital 1 gives me some type of protection?

[AverageJohnny]

That has not been documented. Type 2 is said to give significant protection from type 1 genitally but the opposite is not true.

[SaiEstevez86]

Im scared I might have contracted it even with condom use :'(

[petal130]

Have you been tested to know your own herpes status?

The risk of you contracting it is quite low actually! Him taking suppressive therapy and using condoms means there's only a 2-3% chance of transmission annually. Pretty good odds! You have a better chance of getting pregnant using birth control pills (8% annually).

If you haven't been tested (most STD screenings don't include herpes), get an IgG type specific blood test.

Have you both checked out the "Herpes Handbook" on Westover Heights clinic?

[SaiEstevez86]

Hi Petal,

I was diagnosed via swab in january for genital type 1. My bf has type 2 genital and was diagnosed in march. He is on suppressive and we used a condom. He made a fuss over using a magnum but at least we used a condom. Im scared I might have contracted it :'(

I am not on suppressives because my gyn told me i really didnt need but now i feel like I should have been on them.

[petal130]

No reason for you to be on suppressive therapy - agreed. I have genital HSV1 as well and only use Valtrex for outbreaks.

Really, the risk is very low in the scheme of things. If this guy is a good catch, truly try put it out of your mind :-)  That being said, he's going to have to respect your wanting to use condoms, assuming that seems to be an issue with your response above.

I also would highly suggest the book by Terri Warren "The Good News About the Bad News" - it is a great read especially for discordant couples and for those struggling with the diagnosis :-)

[SaiEstevez86]

So that means I am in the clear? What a relief! Thank Petal. I couldnt sleep yesterday!

[SaiEstevez86]

How about if I touch his penis with my bare hands am I at risk of catching type 2 there?

[gracefromHHP]

it's not likely you'd contract hsv2 on your hands.

if he's on daily suppressive therapy, you avoid sex during any obvious symptoms and use condoms properly, your risk is very low on average.

grace

[SaiEstevez86]

Thank you grace I am just so paranoid right now. He used a magnum condom and is on meds. Im not. This is why im worried that I might have caught something I have been feeling a little itchy down there lately :( Last time we had intercourse was on Friday.

[gracefromHHP]

you don't need to be on antivirals for your herpes . it won't reduce your chances of contracting hsv2 from him . it also isn't necessary since you have hsv1 genitally and aren't having frequent recurrences.

[SaiEstevez86]

But I will still be at risk for type 2? :( Eveyrone tells me its low risk and not likely since I already have type 1 genital.

I was diagnosed in January through swab and just had a second ob 2 weeks ago (6 months later)

[gracefromHHP]

yes, you can still contract his hsv2 genitally. he is on daily suppressive therapy, you are avoiding sex whenever he has symptoms and using condoms so the risk is minimal.