No one can give straight answer

[Moonbeam6986]

So, my boyfriend has herpes HSV-1 and HSV-2.  he has occasional outbreaks on the base of his penis and is on valtrex.  i however do not have either HSV-2 or HSV-2.  i really care about this man and both of us have postponed doing much of anything for lack of information. i have had two OBGYN opinions on this that were completely polar opposite to eachother. along with those two opinions i have contacted a professor and done research online.  my questions, that i have had very mixed results are;
1.) if we practice safe sex using condums and him taking valtrex daily (plus of course not doing anything during a outbreak) how slim are my chances of contracting herpes?
2.) since he has both forms of herpes doesn't HSV-2 cancel out HSV-1 or am i suseptable for getting both? can i perform oral sex on him with out getting HSV-1?
3.) if i contract HSV-2 via orally with that prevent me from contracting it genitaly? And if i do contract it orally, there is generally only one outbreak with about 1% viral shedding (compared to genitally) for the first  months correct?

Thank you so much for your time in answering my questions.

[waringblender]

1.) if we practice safe sex using condums[sic] and him taking valtrex daily (plus of course not doing anything during a outbreak) how slim are my chances of contracting herpes?

About 4-5% per year risk, if that. It's low.

2.) since he has both forms of herpes doesn't HSV-2 cancel out HSV-1 or am i suseptable[sic] for getting both?

Yes. You are susceptible to both.

Can i perform oral sex on him with out[sic] getting HSV-1?

Yes.

3.) if i contract HSV-2 via orally with[sic] that prevent me from contracting it genitaly[sic]?

No. It would be unusual for you to get HSV-2 orally. It doesn't happen that often in otherwise healthy people, meaning people who are not immunocompromised.

And if i do contract it orally, there is generally only one outbreak with about 1% viral shedding (compared to genitally) for the first  months correct?

Correct, but you are not likely to get it anyway.

[gracefromHHP]

No you are not doomed to get herpes from a partner just because they have it!!!  Taking precautions really does work.  I have transmitted my hsv2 twice so far in my lifetime - both times was during the first year I was infected. I've never transmitted it since then. Most of the folks I know who are in discordant relationships and are aware that they are infected and know how to protect their partners have remained just one partner positive.

No need to be all gloom and doom. yes it can happen but it's always going to be far, far, FAR more likely not to happen!!!!

grace

[fly608]

hello im really confused i had a test result that came back and i dount know what it means...

HSV 1 IGG TYPE SPECIFIC AB...INDEX VALUES >5.00 {WHAT IS THIS?}

HSV 2 IGG TYPE-SPECIFIC AB...INDEX VALUES 0.16 {WHAT IS THIS?}

HERPES I , II , IGM        0.95 {WHAT IS THIS?}

[praying17]

Grace, when you transmitted the virus to 2 people during the first year, were you taking meds or using protection?  I was very concerned when I read this post because I have just met someone I really like and I am terrified of being intimate.

[gracefromHHP]

Nope- no suppressive therapy ( it had only been out for 3 years and wasn't much of an option back then and it certainly wasn't affordable at the time!!! ) and not even any condoms with either of them ( 22 years ago hiv was still just something gays and drug users got - it was a different world in my eyes back then ).  never even knew I had hsv2 the first time I transmitted it - that's how I found out I had it.  2nd time - well I was pretty young and immature back then ( ok so I'm still immature but in a different way...he he he ) and didn't tell him I had found out I had it while dating him so I was trying to avoid sex during ob's which didn't go so well. You can only have your period so many times in a month ;)    

grace