Aa
dating someone without herpes
I have HSV 1 and am dating a new partner who does not(although she has not been tested). We only have been dating a few weeks but I felt she should know asap before we got in too deeply. Not sure if this matters but I have not had an outbreak in 6 or 7 years-I do understand the sheding issue. I told her to speak with her doctor and get more information. The nurse at her office responded and was very negative about dating someone with HSV. My gf explained to her that I had dated the same woman for 14 years and she tested negativeafter breaking up and a year after that. The nurse blew it off( i dont think she believed it). She is pretty concerned and its understandable. Its funny cause my doctor once told me its safer to date someone that knows they have it and takes precautions than someone that has never had an outbreak, never been tested and assumes they dont.
I want to share with her any info and thought this would be the best and most knowledgeable place--with use of condoms and suppressants, what risk does this pose to her.
I have had this for 17 years and understand that anytime it even sort of feels like an outbreak is coming on..to abstain.
If you can give me the low down for her good or bad it would help
Thanks
I want to share with her any info and thought this would be the best and most knowledgeable place--with use of condoms and suppressants, what risk does this pose to her.
I have had this for 17 years and understand that anytime it even sort of feels like an outbreak is coming on..to abstain.
If you can give me the low down for her good or bad it would help
Thanks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Many cases of genital herpes are caused by HSV-1. However, the diagnosis of herpes has improved in the past 17 years, so it is possible you have HSV-2. The blood test I suggested above will tell whether you have HSV-1 or 2 (or both).
i was diagnosed 17 years ago and not sure what test i took. I was told I had genital herpes and I stated hsv 1 but being genital herpes Im sure it was 2 not 1. . Which im sure changes alot of what you said.
Sorry for the confusion.
Sorry for the confusion.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm not clear what you are confused about but I'll try to sort it out for you.
HSV-1 mostly causes oral infections, but can be transmitted to the genitals. Such persons have genital herpes due to HSV-1. You probably acquired your infection by receiving oral sex from a partner.
However, I am interested in knowing exactly how your HSV-1 infection was diagnosed. Did you have a positive culture or PCR test from one of your genital herpes outbreaks? Or only a positive blood test? I ask because your history of outbreaks is atypical for HSV-1; it sounds more like HSV-2.
If this makes you uncertain about your diagnosis, I suggest you have a blood test now for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. It would also be a good idea for your partner to also be tested. Your results, combined with hers, will tell whether she is susceptible to your infection or not, and what meaures will work best to prevent transmission to her.
HSV-1 mostly causes oral infections, but can be transmitted to the genitals. Such persons have genital herpes due to HSV-1. You probably acquired your infection by receiving oral sex from a partner.
However, I am interested in knowing exactly how your HSV-1 infection was diagnosed. Did you have a positive culture or PCR test from one of your genital herpes outbreaks? Or only a positive blood test? I ask because your history of outbreaks is atypical for HSV-1; it sounds more like HSV-2.
If this makes you uncertain about your diagnosis, I suggest you have a blood test now for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. It would also be a good idea for your partner to also be tested. Your results, combined with hers, will tell whether she is susceptible to your infection or not, and what meaures will work best to prevent transmission to her.
I am confused ..are you saying most cases of genital herpes are from individuals who have genital herpes but in there mouth region and pass it on that way.
Again thank you for the help
Again thank you for the help
I do have genital herpes and have had one outbreak in about 7 yrs. Prior to that is was once every year to two.
We have not had sex yet and are making sure we have a committed relationship that looks long term.
Thank you for your help
We have not had sex yet and are making sure we have a committed relationship that looks long term.
Thank you for your help
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. I'll try to help.
However, I'm not clear about a central issue. Do you have oral or genital herpes? Or only a positive blood test for HSV-1, without clear evidence of the site of infection? If you have recurrent herpes outbreaks, whether oral or genital, how frequent are they?
I'll assume, since you came to the STD forum -- and based on your thread on the herpes community forum a few months ago -- that you have documented genital herpes due to HSV-1. If so, it is not at all surprising that your former long term partner never caught your infection. Recurrent genital outbreaks are rare with genital HSV-1, and asymptomatic shedding of the virus is also uncommon. Therefore, genital to genital transmission is uncommon. Over 3+ decades in the STD business, every case of genital HSV-1 I have seen was acquired by oral sex.
In other words, I agree with your confidence that your new partner is not at significant risk, especially if you are careful to avoid sex when having an outbreak (or kissing if your infection is oral and you have a cold sore). And obviously I disagree with her nurse, who apparently doesn't understand HSV-1 infections very well. I also agree with the implication of your opening comment, that your new partner should be tested. If she is already HSV-1 positive, then she is immune, or at least highly resistant, to a new infection, which would be reassuring.
If you want to fill in some of the missing details, I may have additional comments or advice. In the meantime, I hope this helps.
Regards-- HHH, MD
However, I'm not clear about a central issue. Do you have oral or genital herpes? Or only a positive blood test for HSV-1, without clear evidence of the site of infection? If you have recurrent herpes outbreaks, whether oral or genital, how frequent are they?
I'll assume, since you came to the STD forum -- and based on your thread on the herpes community forum a few months ago -- that you have documented genital herpes due to HSV-1. If so, it is not at all surprising that your former long term partner never caught your infection. Recurrent genital outbreaks are rare with genital HSV-1, and asymptomatic shedding of the virus is also uncommon. Therefore, genital to genital transmission is uncommon. Over 3+ decades in the STD business, every case of genital HSV-1 I have seen was acquired by oral sex.
In other words, I agree with your confidence that your new partner is not at significant risk, especially if you are careful to avoid sex when having an outbreak (or kissing if your infection is oral and you have a cold sore). And obviously I disagree with her nurse, who apparently doesn't understand HSV-1 infections very well. I also agree with the implication of your opening comment, that your new partner should be tested. If she is already HSV-1 positive, then she is immune, or at least highly resistant, to a new infection, which would be reassuring.
If you want to fill in some of the missing details, I may have additional comments or advice. In the meantime, I hope this helps.
Regards-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
