General Herpes Virus Protection

[lanelot]

I like this girl i've been seeing for a while now and she recently told me she has herpes, I'm not too sure which one but I know its on her genital area and comes up when she is stressed a lot every few weeks or so. My question is what are my limits and what can I do so i can protect my self from it. I know when signs of the virus are there (like an outbreak) not to touch the area cause it can infected my skin (is this correct ?). Can I get anything from rubbing the area during a outbreak by not directly touching it (like thru clothes). What are my chances of transmission if oral intercourse was performed not during a outbreak. Her medication i think is valtrex but it only works when she feels the outbreak coming and she takes it to prevent if from happening.

Sorry for any so called "Newb" questions.  

[lanelot]

Ok Sorry One more question.

How about Oral sex? I heard that with HSV-2 you its unlikely to get HSV-2 orally, her outbreaks are over and healed (been a week now) so do you think its wise to have oral sex ?

Thanks again!!!

[lanelot]

thanks a lot for all the help and patience!!!

[gracefromHHP]

"gotcha so touching the area down there would be not advised, can you get herpes on like a finger or something ? "

Honey she is not a walking biohazzard who is contagious 24/7!!! You not only can touch her - I encourage it if you want to keep her happy!!  Unless you have an open cut on your finger or you bite your nails frequently you aren't very likely to contract herpes on your hand. the skin there is thick and protective.  Of course if she has an active ob then don't touch her genital area until it's healed.  



"The fluid thats also from there i assume goes the same, if it makes contact with skin it can transmit as well?"

You can transmit herpes thru vaginal secretions but it's not likely to happen.  chances are good that you'd be having direct skin on skin contact too which is the bigger risk.

Read the handbook I suggested and watch the video there too - they will answer your questions.

grace

[gracefromHHP]

If she's having recurrences frequently it's most likely hsv2 that she has. Ask her if she's on suppressive therapy and if she's not - ask her if she'd be willing to go on it to help reduce the number of recurrences she's having and also to help protect you.  If her recurrences are frequent she probably needs the 1gm once a day dose of valtrex, not the usual 500mg once a day dose.

I encourage both you and your gf to read the herpes handbook and watch the patient counseling video at www.westoverheights.com. Both are very helpful to explain herpes and treatments as well as how to reduce your risk.  It will answer all your questions I think.

Also you need to get yourself a type specific herpes igg blood test too. You two can't make informed decisions as to what precautions to use until you know your own status.

grace

[lanelot]

gotcha so touching the area down there would be not advised, can you get herpes on like a finger or something ?

Thanks we will look into it and proprly discuss our options.

The fluid thats also from there i assume goes the same, if it makes contact with skin it can transmit as well?

[Faithin79]

I meant accept not except.
I have lots on my mind about stds too that's why I'm hanging around in here today.
hope I helped a little

[Faithin79]

Yes, you are right about touching you can contract the virus.
But rubbing through clothes I don't think you can.
But, you know what it really suck that if you HAVE it then you're are afraid that people won't except you and understand for your situation.
And if you DON'T have it you're afraid that the person you  might be interested in might have it.
But I hear all over that 90 % of the population have HSV1  90% is a lot.
And when you meet someone how would you know.
Sometime the person can transmit the virus without an outbreak because they can be shedding the virus.

medication will lower risk of transmitting

hopefully Grace or t123 with better knowledge will come by to answer your question