Anal Herpes

[ingwe]

Hi,
Im a gay male. I just started a new relationship and found out that my partner suffers from herpes around the anal region. Im very concerned about getting infected. Is it safe to have anal/oral sex with a condom during the phases where the virus is not active? Obviously it is very dangerous to have any sexual contact when the herpes is active.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Herpes simplex is most easily transmitted by direct contact with a lesion or the body fluid of an infected individual. Transmission may also occur through skin-to-skin contact during periods of asymptomatic shedding. So even if there are no active lesions, transmission of herpes virus can occur.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[willy851]

Herpes sheds 80% of time, it doesn't matter if there are sores present. The only protection would be to already have it. Condoms will give little protection but as you know skin contact is all that's required for transmission.
Get tested you might already have it. Some people never show signs.