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Oral sex on female w/ HSV-2
I'm a 27 year old woman with HSV-2. I have had the virus for two and a half years, though I believe I was reinfected a year ago. I am currently taking 400 mg of acyclovir twice a day as suppressive therapy. I'd like to know the statistical risk that I will give HSV2 to a partner if he performs oral sex on me. Currently I'm dating a guy who has had HSV-1 cold sores, but who has tested negative for HSV-2. Additionally, he is concerned about the risk of giving himself HSV2 genitally if he uses his hands on me, and then touches himself. Thanks very much!
I'm not sure why you think you were reinfected - you already had hsv2 from the sounds of things - you aren't going to get it again "worse" or anything like that.
I encourage you and your partner to read the herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com . It's filled with terrific info to help you two decide what precautions you want to take together.
If you two did nothing but avoid sex during obvious genital symptoms in yourself - your male partner would be about 96% likely each year NOT to contract hsv2 from you. If you took daily suppressive therapy with valtrex ( the only antiviral with published info on this so far ) his risk would be cut in half. Throw in condoms too and he's about 99% likely each year NOT to contract hsv2 from you. We don't have the same stats for oral sex but suppressive therapy reduces your risk of shedding the virus which also helps to reduce his risk from oral sex. You can contract hsv2 orally but it doesn't happen very often. Only about 3% of all oral herpes infections are due to hsv2. If you two feel you need more than just suppressive therapy reducing his risk - consider barrier protection for oral sex.
He's also very unlikely to transmit hsv2 to himself just thru touching you and then himself.
grace
I encourage you and your partner to read the herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com . It's filled with terrific info to help you two decide what precautions you want to take together.
If you two did nothing but avoid sex during obvious genital symptoms in yourself - your male partner would be about 96% likely each year NOT to contract hsv2 from you. If you took daily suppressive therapy with valtrex ( the only antiviral with published info on this so far ) his risk would be cut in half. Throw in condoms too and he's about 99% likely each year NOT to contract hsv2 from you. We don't have the same stats for oral sex but suppressive therapy reduces your risk of shedding the virus which also helps to reduce his risk from oral sex. You can contract hsv2 orally but it doesn't happen very often. Only about 3% of all oral herpes infections are due to hsv2. If you two feel you need more than just suppressive therapy reducing his risk - consider barrier protection for oral sex.
He's also very unlikely to transmit hsv2 to himself just thru touching you and then himself.
grace
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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.
