Safe Sex?

[dmd786]

O.k....three weeks ago I had a Herpes Select test that came back negative for HSV 1 (0.61) and positive for HSV 2 (5.0). I went back to primary physician and he said he couldn't perform a culture b/c lesion was dried up. He said he wasn't going to put me on an anti-viral med. and I should wait to see if I have another "outbreak" and then come in. Physician is not 100% sure that my "outbreak" is herpes related b/c it may be folliculitis. I shave and clip my pubic area and my lesion only seems to occur a week or so after clipping in the hairy area and not all the time. I've never had an "outbreak" on the penis or any other area, just the same spot in pubic hair. I was married for seven years and these outbreaks occured about 6 times during those years.Also, my ex-wife never showed signs or complained of any possible signs/symptoms. The only reason I found out about my positive blood test was b/c I wanted to "get to the bottom" of my apparent follicultis and physician decided to have herpes blood test. I have now been with a girlfriend for nearly 9 months and she has tested negative for herpes. So, what is safe sex?? Yes, I have a 5.0 Igg blood test for HSV 2, my outbreak, when it occurs, is in the pubic hair and a condom does not cover that area, my physician is not ready to put me on anti-viral and he said the only way to pass it on to girlfriend is if my lesion, when I have it, comes into direct contact with her skin? I am confused and stressed about having sex with current girlfriend and possible future ones..please help..your input is much appreciated.

[gracefromHHP]

You can only transmit your genital herpes thru contact with your genital area. If you are performing oral sex, no risk to your partner.

There aren't really herpes specialists. Some providers are more herpes educated than others. If you want suppressive therapy to protect your partner and your doctor won't prescribe it, find a provider near you who will. I recommend looking online for local herpes support groups ( yahoo groups is a good source ) or check out the ashastd.org website to see if a herpes HELP support group is near you and asking them for a recommendation for a provider if you need to find a new one.  

grace

[dmd786]

Thank you for your reply, it is greatly appreciated. I will view the handbook with girlfriend and call physician to have him recommend a specialist. Two further questions: 1) should I see an infectious disease doctor or do you recommend someone else 2) this may seem elementary, but can I transmit virus if I receive and give oral sex? Thanks.

[gracefromHHP]

I encourage you and your gf both to read the herpes handbook. I also encourage you to find a provider who understands herpes better and will prescribe suppressive therapy if the two of you are intestered in it. Suppressive therapy reduces the odds of transmitting the virus in half to  partner.  To me doing everything you can to keep a female of child bearing age ( I assume ) negative for hsv2 is worthwhile - justone less thing to worry about during pregnancy.

It doesn't matter where your lesions are located - you shed the virus from active lesions as well as from the entire anogenital area. Just covering the lesion isn't enough - you are also shedding from the penis and anal area too most of the time. You also shed from there periodically in between obvious lesions too.  Suppressive therapy reduces ob's as well as reduces shedding dramatically.

keep asking questions as the 2 of you have them.

grace