Aa
hsv1 question
I just met a lady, that was honest enough to disclose the fact that she has genital hsv1. She has only had one occurrence a few years ago and nothing since then. I really like the lady and would like to pursue the relationship, but I am afraid to take that next step. I am negative for both 1 & 2 type herpes and would like to know what my risks of contracting this virus from her are. Obviously if we were intimate it would include oral sex, kissing, and intercourse, as you would expect.
I am very concerned. I need to know the facts. What are my chances of getting genital hsv1 from her?
I am very concerned. I need to know the facts. What are my chances of getting genital hsv1 from her?
No the email isn't being shared. But is it coming from MedHelp?
Being an IT Guy there was a huge amount of spam increase over the holidays. So we do know that it is getting around.
0wannabehappy0: if you put this in your post I will answer the question. Shedding rate information can be easily found in the Herpes Handbook (www.westoverheights.com) and it is in the transmission section. I invite everyone to read that.
Being an IT Guy there was a huge amount of spam increase over the holidays. So we do know that it is getting around.
0wannabehappy0: if you put this in your post I will answer the question. Shedding rate information can be easily found in the Herpes Handbook (www.westoverheights.com) and it is in the transmission section. I invite everyone to read that.
These posts were extremely helpful. Thank you everyone for all their information!!
I agree that this lady had a lot of courage and integrity to come out and tell me of her condition. Many people may have said nothing at all. I will be seeing my doctor very soon, and I do trust his judgement, as he's been my family doctor for several decades. He has always made my health a priority. This is a doctor that offered to come to my home a couple of years ago, when I was recovering from a serious accident. He also came into visit me while in the hospital under the care of another doctor. I do trust him is what I'm saying.
I most certainly do not wish to hurt my lady friends feelings, especially after she was decent enough to disclose her condition. The truth is I feel willing to risk it, based on the information given here, but ultimately, I do trust my doctor and will most likely take his advise. I just have to wait for my appointment.
I will eventually post my doctors opinions, as I feel it will contribute more information regarding this important issue.
Thank you to all people in this thread for your valuable information. It's great that we have places like this to ask these questions.
I just started getting a heap of spam in my mailbox though. Almost since I registered here. I didn't read the EULA over very well. Is my email address being shared or something?
I most certainly do not wish to hurt my lady friends feelings, especially after she was decent enough to disclose her condition. The truth is I feel willing to risk it, based on the information given here, but ultimately, I do trust my doctor and will most likely take his advise. I just have to wait for my appointment.
I will eventually post my doctors opinions, as I feel it will contribute more information regarding this important issue.
Thank you to all people in this thread for your valuable information. It's great that we have places like this to ask these questions.
I just started getting a heap of spam in my mailbox though. Almost since I registered here. I didn't read the EULA over very well. Is my email address being shared or something?
mistakeguy,
you gave a really good post about the shredding rates and risk of getting the HSV1 from this lady, if she was to have HSV2 i know you say the odds of getting it are increased but what are the shredding rate figures and stuff please?
I have HSV2 and would like to be able to talk through the risk with a potential partner.
you gave a really good post about the shredding rates and risk of getting the HSV1 from this lady, if she was to have HSV2 i know you say the odds of getting it are increased but what are the shredding rate figures and stuff please?
I have HSV2 and would like to be able to talk through the risk with a potential partner.
Dear JJ,
I admire your courage in looking into this and your lady friend. I have been married for 30 years and have only had my husband as partner. I was diagnosed with genital herpes 25 years ago and still have no idea how it came about, My husband has never had any lesions at all.Unfortunatly I have them on my rectum and it is extremely painful during a breakout only, so don't let anyone tell you different. This will only happen 2 to 3 times a year and we always wait agood week after all signs of it are gone. But my husband has never had to deal with it and I'm sure we've had sex during catchable times. Just for the record I an a Christian and that comment in the earlier discussion should'nt even have made the board. I know plenty of Christians wih different types of std's and it doesn't make the disease or thoughts of it any different for us.I do hope you will take all the facts into consideration and ask yourself Is she worth it? Because if she is to you in the future I think you will make the right choice. Just completely understand, there are so many people with std's that you will never know while dating who does or does'nt. Plus you are not just sleeping with one person, you are sleeping with all they have slept with. The dissapointing fact is that its everywhere and more than likely you will run into someone else with it and a never know. At least this way you know she is an honest decent person who had the courage of a lion to tell you and you know most of the time when to avoid. I would dare to say you are less likely to get it with her than you would be with other new patners. Good luck to you and your decision. I will say a prayer for you tonight and for her too. Sincerely, K
I admire your courage in looking into this and your lady friend. I have been married for 30 years and have only had my husband as partner. I was diagnosed with genital herpes 25 years ago and still have no idea how it came about, My husband has never had any lesions at all.Unfortunatly I have them on my rectum and it is extremely painful during a breakout only, so don't let anyone tell you different. This will only happen 2 to 3 times a year and we always wait agood week after all signs of it are gone. But my husband has never had to deal with it and I'm sure we've had sex during catchable times. Just for the record I an a Christian and that comment in the earlier discussion should'nt even have made the board. I know plenty of Christians wih different types of std's and it doesn't make the disease or thoughts of it any different for us.I do hope you will take all the facts into consideration and ask yourself Is she worth it? Because if she is to you in the future I think you will make the right choice. Just completely understand, there are so many people with std's that you will never know while dating who does or does'nt. Plus you are not just sleeping with one person, you are sleeping with all they have slept with. The dissapointing fact is that its everywhere and more than likely you will run into someone else with it and a never know. At least this way you know she is an honest decent person who had the courage of a lion to tell you and you know most of the time when to avoid. I would dare to say you are less likely to get it with her than you would be with other new patners. Good luck to you and your decision. I will say a prayer for you tonight and for her too. Sincerely, K
Thank you for your reply.
So how does one know for absolute certain which type they have?
So how does one know for absolute certain which type they have?
they look the exact same - just the shedding rates and recurrence rates differ.
Actually, I do have one question about herpes 1 & 2. What are the main differences in symptoms between the two (genital area)? Do the outbreaks look the same for genital hsv1 as hsv2?
This is a very useful site. I do appreciate all the information provided.
Thank you, both grace and Mistakeguy.
Thank you, both grace and Mistakeguy.
regardless of your age, statistically 1 out of every 2-3 people you've ever kissed in a lifetime or received oral sex from has hsv1. do you typically let it bother you? it's incredibly common and by the time we make it to our "golden years", 80% of us have it on average in the US alone.
are you likely to contract hsv1 genitally from this partner? no you are not. having protected sex would put the odds even more in your favor. receiving protected oral sex from her also keeps the odds in your favor just in case she also contracted hsv1 orally around the same time she contracted it genitally. totally up to you if it's worth the small risk of infection or not.
if nothing else, take the information you've learned from this with you to future relationships. be aware that herpes testing isn't a part of routine std testing. Be aware that you can transmit hsv1 from the oral area to the genital area through oral sex even when symptoms aren't present. Talk to potential partners about std's and testing and make sure they are getting tested for herpes when they do get tested.
grace
are you likely to contract hsv1 genitally from this partner? no you are not. having protected sex would put the odds even more in your favor. receiving protected oral sex from her also keeps the odds in your favor just in case she also contracted hsv1 orally around the same time she contracted it genitally. totally up to you if it's worth the small risk of infection or not.
if nothing else, take the information you've learned from this with you to future relationships. be aware that herpes testing isn't a part of routine std testing. Be aware that you can transmit hsv1 from the oral area to the genital area through oral sex even when symptoms aren't present. Talk to potential partners about std's and testing and make sure they are getting tested for herpes when they do get tested.
grace
OK, first off, I am not 50, as I just put numbers in the profile, as did I not put my real name. Yes, I am older than you though. I have never had chicken pox, ever, just for the record, so I'm not sure where you're going with that or what your comparison means.
I do appreciate your stand on herpes. I meant no disrespect to you, sir. I thought I was clear on that, but you do seem a bit offended. Furthermore, I'm not the type of person that would rub or smear someones nose in poo, just because of a skin condition, as you call it. I have no intention of being rude or disrespectful to my friend.
I will consider the information you have provided. I certainly can't promise I can relax the same way as you about it, but I willconsider the info first, and then speak with my doctor, and then I will decide what I will do.
Once again, thanks for your time and effort.
I do appreciate your stand on herpes. I meant no disrespect to you, sir. I thought I was clear on that, but you do seem a bit offended. Furthermore, I'm not the type of person that would rub or smear someones nose in poo, just because of a skin condition, as you call it. I have no intention of being rude or disrespectful to my friend.
I will consider the information you have provided. I certainly can't promise I can relax the same way as you about it, but I willconsider the info first, and then speak with my doctor, and then I will decide what I will do.
Once again, thanks for your time and effort.
Jorge,
Let me say this. According to your profile you are 50 years old. I don't know if that is true or not. But let me be candid with you if I may. I am 26 been around the block in my life as I am sure a lot have. However, I am not one of those kids who will tell you I know it all. My parents raised me better and I always look for both sides of the argument. So for our discussion here please understand that I am not trying to be rude or disrespectful.
This lady friend choose to confide in you her Herpes status. That is tough and for some it does take a fair amount of trust to break that ice. I mean think about what even you just posted about the "how do you break it". So let's talk turkey.
Herpes is a life long virus. So is Chickenpox. Did you know that you (and given your age I will bet you a few glasses of tea) having chicken pox will be with you until you die? Did your having chickenpox change your life? Not in anyway that makes you less of a person.
Majority of the people in your age range have or by the time you go to the old folks home is going to show up as having Herpes.
When you found out about Herpes what was your first thought? Chances are oh my gosh run? What changed about this woman when you met her?
In society we see sex as one of those subjects you don't talk about. It is reserved for marriage type attitude. Though the trend is changing as more and more youngsters have sex for the "pleasure" of it and not out of the love of it. We see that "herpes" word and freak out our mind goes running. Because the only people that get STD's are those that "sleep around a lot". So society attempts to punish people by saying having sex is wrong and the STD is the way to prove you do wrong.
I was talking to a friend of mine who is a gamer like myself. We play games day and night. He and his girflriend were having some issues and we were tlaking. I shared a my experince that I went through a year ago. He talked about how he has cold sores. He was shocked when I said "not surprising as most adults in the US have herpes". He corrected me and said "cold sores not herpes thats what prostititutes get". Wasn't he in for an education. This guy was 19 years old and never knew that Herpes was the cause of his cold sores. I spent a week talking to him and going over things getting him to review forums and ASHA (ashastd.org) for info on the oral forum of HSV-1.
Herpes in sex ed for me (I graduated 7 years ago not trying to make you feel old but) was discussed in the genitial form and how bad it was. Nothing else just it was an STD and STD's are bad. Which I won't argue they are.
When I talk about STD's being bad lets be honest things like chlamydia, syphilis, trich, etc if left untreated they can cause some major damage in both guys and girls. So while those are "bad" STD's and they can be cured they can cause damage. Now let's talk about what a lot of people thing when you say the word STD... HIV/AIDS...
Herpes isn't like the other STD's. Think about HIV for a second. You get HIV you know that your immune system will suffer and your risk death from such a virus. That virus is a life ender. Herpes isn't HIV. Herpes is a skin condition. It is no different then when you had pimples as a teenager. The difference is that Herpes is lifelong. In HSV-1 Genitial you have the information above to review on what it can do. Yes, it can be painful and mostly it is "mild" though but for others it can be painful forever. Everyone is different with this virus.
Let me say this part. Herpes while can be painful when having an outbreak isn't the end of the world. Sure that sucks. But where is it that we see it as "bad"? Its the stigma around sex and what we believe those to have STD's to be the cause of. For me if a girl goes through and let say rocked my world. Had the best attitude, smart, caring, on and on and told me "I have Herpes" I personally would be respond with "Ok.". Herpes doesn't define her attitude it doesn't change her looks, and you know what it happens.
Herpes is and will be how you choose to deal with it. Get to your know your lady friend. Get to the point where you can say "we are going to be serious" and if the clothes come off then you know the facts of risk. You know the chance to which YOU may be transmitted the virus. But by that time you will know if you love the woman or how you truly feel. Only you can see how this virus will impact your choices. If it doesn't work out you find a lady that will accept you for who you are.
Think of this as well. What happens if you meet a woman who doesn't know she has oral herpes. You get some oral sex and she happens to be shedding (oral herpes sheds 18% of days in a year) and you are transmitted the virus. What do you do then? You have genital herpes now and the girl didn't even know she had it (some people can never recall a cold sore).
Herpes will be seen as a social stigma until people understand that is nothing more than a skin condition.
Please forgive if I make it a "simple decision". I realize that for some and even I at one point don't find it as such. It became easy once I learned that it was really common for people to have Herpes and what it truly was. Take my advice for what you pay for. But I think if you are going to get serious that Herpes shouldn't be the stop to a happy relationship. That's one mans thoughts and I would like to say I have been tested for HSV and I am negative. So this isn't coming from a guy that has HSV and wishes for others to be accept it. I hope I was a help and you are more than welcome to keep asking questions and I am sure as the week goes on someone else may post their thoughts. Good luck Sir and please let me know what more I/We can do to help.
Let me say this. According to your profile you are 50 years old. I don't know if that is true or not. But let me be candid with you if I may. I am 26 been around the block in my life as I am sure a lot have. However, I am not one of those kids who will tell you I know it all. My parents raised me better and I always look for both sides of the argument. So for our discussion here please understand that I am not trying to be rude or disrespectful.
This lady friend choose to confide in you her Herpes status. That is tough and for some it does take a fair amount of trust to break that ice. I mean think about what even you just posted about the "how do you break it". So let's talk turkey.
Herpes is a life long virus. So is Chickenpox. Did you know that you (and given your age I will bet you a few glasses of tea) having chicken pox will be with you until you die? Did your having chickenpox change your life? Not in anyway that makes you less of a person.
Majority of the people in your age range have or by the time you go to the old folks home is going to show up as having Herpes.
When you found out about Herpes what was your first thought? Chances are oh my gosh run? What changed about this woman when you met her?
In society we see sex as one of those subjects you don't talk about. It is reserved for marriage type attitude. Though the trend is changing as more and more youngsters have sex for the "pleasure" of it and not out of the love of it. We see that "herpes" word and freak out our mind goes running. Because the only people that get STD's are those that "sleep around a lot". So society attempts to punish people by saying having sex is wrong and the STD is the way to prove you do wrong.
I was talking to a friend of mine who is a gamer like myself. We play games day and night. He and his girflriend were having some issues and we were tlaking. I shared a my experince that I went through a year ago. He talked about how he has cold sores. He was shocked when I said "not surprising as most adults in the US have herpes". He corrected me and said "cold sores not herpes thats what prostititutes get". Wasn't he in for an education. This guy was 19 years old and never knew that Herpes was the cause of his cold sores. I spent a week talking to him and going over things getting him to review forums and ASHA (ashastd.org) for info on the oral forum of HSV-1.
Herpes in sex ed for me (I graduated 7 years ago not trying to make you feel old but) was discussed in the genitial form and how bad it was. Nothing else just it was an STD and STD's are bad. Which I won't argue they are.
When I talk about STD's being bad lets be honest things like chlamydia, syphilis, trich, etc if left untreated they can cause some major damage in both guys and girls. So while those are "bad" STD's and they can be cured they can cause damage. Now let's talk about what a lot of people thing when you say the word STD... HIV/AIDS...
Herpes isn't like the other STD's. Think about HIV for a second. You get HIV you know that your immune system will suffer and your risk death from such a virus. That virus is a life ender. Herpes isn't HIV. Herpes is a skin condition. It is no different then when you had pimples as a teenager. The difference is that Herpes is lifelong. In HSV-1 Genitial you have the information above to review on what it can do. Yes, it can be painful and mostly it is "mild" though but for others it can be painful forever. Everyone is different with this virus.
Let me say this part. Herpes while can be painful when having an outbreak isn't the end of the world. Sure that sucks. But where is it that we see it as "bad"? Its the stigma around sex and what we believe those to have STD's to be the cause of. For me if a girl goes through and let say rocked my world. Had the best attitude, smart, caring, on and on and told me "I have Herpes" I personally would be respond with "Ok.". Herpes doesn't define her attitude it doesn't change her looks, and you know what it happens.
Herpes is and will be how you choose to deal with it. Get to your know your lady friend. Get to the point where you can say "we are going to be serious" and if the clothes come off then you know the facts of risk. You know the chance to which YOU may be transmitted the virus. But by that time you will know if you love the woman or how you truly feel. Only you can see how this virus will impact your choices. If it doesn't work out you find a lady that will accept you for who you are.
Think of this as well. What happens if you meet a woman who doesn't know she has oral herpes. You get some oral sex and she happens to be shedding (oral herpes sheds 18% of days in a year) and you are transmitted the virus. What do you do then? You have genital herpes now and the girl didn't even know she had it (some people can never recall a cold sore).
Herpes will be seen as a social stigma until people understand that is nothing more than a skin condition.
Please forgive if I make it a "simple decision". I realize that for some and even I at one point don't find it as such. It became easy once I learned that it was really common for people to have Herpes and what it truly was. Take my advice for what you pay for. But I think if you are going to get serious that Herpes shouldn't be the stop to a happy relationship. That's one mans thoughts and I would like to say I have been tested for HSV and I am negative. So this isn't coming from a guy that has HSV and wishes for others to be accept it. I hope I was a help and you are more than welcome to keep asking questions and I am sure as the week goes on someone else may post their thoughts. Good luck Sir and please let me know what more I/We can do to help.
In regards to your comment, while I do really like this lady, we really don't know each other well enough that I would say its love. I really do like her, but it's way too soon to say I even think I love her.
I am confused, again, as to how you could downplay herpes and say, "it's not that bad an STD", especially when there is no cure. As far as I know herpes is permanent. I've heard the outbreaks can be quite painful too. I'm very curious to see if my doctor will think it's not that bad an STD.
I guess the main problem for me is that if I did get herpes from her and things don't work out for us, then what? Do I then join an STD dating site if I want a girlfriend? It must be embarrassing to have to explain this to someone you'd like to be intimate with. I mean how do you break that one? Do you say it over dinner on the first date? I just don't find this as easy a decision as you make it out to be. While I am no spring chicken, I still have a while left to go in life...hopefully.
Again, you have provided me with some good information, and don't get me wrong, I do appreciate it. It’s left me with plenty to think about. Thanks again!
I am confused, again, as to how you could downplay herpes and say, "it's not that bad an STD", especially when there is no cure. As far as I know herpes is permanent. I've heard the outbreaks can be quite painful too. I'm very curious to see if my doctor will think it's not that bad an STD.
I guess the main problem for me is that if I did get herpes from her and things don't work out for us, then what? Do I then join an STD dating site if I want a girlfriend? It must be embarrassing to have to explain this to someone you'd like to be intimate with. I mean how do you break that one? Do you say it over dinner on the first date? I just don't find this as easy a decision as you make it out to be. While I am no spring chicken, I still have a while left to go in life...hopefully.
Again, you have provided me with some good information, and don't get me wrong, I do appreciate it. It’s left me with plenty to think about. Thanks again!
I really appreciate your time and effort to answer my questions. I do understand the risks much better thanks to your help. I will consider what you've said in regards to my lady friend. I'm seeing my doctor this week anyways, so I will also ask his advise.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
The questions you are asking are ones for yourself.
Herpes while is transmitted during sexual encounters really isn't that bad "STD". In your case if it was me I and I loved this woman. I mean I see myself having a future with her then I would take that risk for various reasons.
1. The virus will shed no matter what. So while those days may happen the chance of you having sex on that day while she is shedding is low.
2. I love the woman
3. Outside of getting some bumps and some pain Herpes isn't going to kill me. Its not like HIV or something that will harm my lifetime of health.
The choice is yours. Let me give you something to think of. Oral HSV-1 has an 18% of days that the virus sheds. We have a poster here Petal130 who has genitial herpes now after being with her boyfriend who had oral herpes. Now I am telling her side of the story I wasn't in the room or anything. But it took 5 years of as she said very frequent oral sex to get genitial herpes.
The risk is there. No way around it. About 50% of the adult US population (maybe more) has HSV. You may have kissed several people in your life already that have had it. HSV doesn't make the person. It's a virus like the flu. Any partner you have may have something wrong with them. But ask yourself is the virus more to you than this girl and her life with you? Just because she has Herpes doesn't mean she isn't going to take care of you when you are sick, hold you when you have a bad day, cuddle with you on the couch, make you watch girly movies that we guys don't like to watch, and most importantly it doesn't mean that this girl is not worth your time.
Sit down and think about what you are going to lose out on. What happens if you move on and the next girl has Herpes? What about the next girl having HSV-2 genitially and her not even know it and she transmits it to you. You see the risk is out there.
Herpes while is transmitted during sexual encounters really isn't that bad "STD". In your case if it was me I and I loved this woman. I mean I see myself having a future with her then I would take that risk for various reasons.
1. The virus will shed no matter what. So while those days may happen the chance of you having sex on that day while she is shedding is low.
2. I love the woman
3. Outside of getting some bumps and some pain Herpes isn't going to kill me. Its not like HIV or something that will harm my lifetime of health.
The choice is yours. Let me give you something to think of. Oral HSV-1 has an 18% of days that the virus sheds. We have a poster here Petal130 who has genitial herpes now after being with her boyfriend who had oral herpes. Now I am telling her side of the story I wasn't in the room or anything. But it took 5 years of as she said very frequent oral sex to get genitial herpes.
The risk is there. No way around it. About 50% of the adult US population (maybe more) has HSV. You may have kissed several people in your life already that have had it. HSV doesn't make the person. It's a virus like the flu. Any partner you have may have something wrong with them. But ask yourself is the virus more to you than this girl and her life with you? Just because she has Herpes doesn't mean she isn't going to take care of you when you are sick, hold you when you have a bad day, cuddle with you on the couch, make you watch girly movies that we guys don't like to watch, and most importantly it doesn't mean that this girl is not worth your time.
Sit down and think about what you are going to lose out on. What happens if you move on and the next girl has Herpes? What about the next girl having HSV-2 genitially and her not even know it and she transmits it to you. You see the risk is out there.
3 to 5% a year would mean about 2-3 weeks in a year with no way of knowing when those shedding days are, correct?
You see, I've never had an STD in my life. It scares the crap out of me. I really like this lady, but even those odds I find very unsettling. Is that simply not too great a risk, if you don't know when these shedding days are?
You see, I've never had an STD in my life. It scares the crap out of me. I really like this lady, but even those odds I find very unsettling. Is that simply not too great a risk, if you don't know when these shedding days are?
You are at risk during times when she has an outbreak. That is when the virus is present on the skin. So avoid sexual contact during that time.
The other side is where the gray area comes in and I wish I could give a black and white answer. But let me try to re-explain and hopefully it will make more sense for you.
There is a time where the virus is present and no symptoms are present. This is what we call asymptomatic shedding (a refering to no signs). With HSV-1 genitial this is 3-5% of days out of the year. There is no way to know when it is happening. So you would be at risk for transmission of herpes. But consider what that means to you in terms of days this virus would be active. You would have to line up and have sex on those days. We don't really know how long the virus lives on the skin during shedding either (at least I haven't seen anything on it).
I wish I could say it was completely risk free. Sadly it isn't clear cut like that. But we all know that life is an odds game. In this case the odds of you not getting caught with virial shedding is pretty much in your favor.
Telling you what precautions to take is hard because there is no 100% method of even protection you from getting it. Condoms only reduce the risk 30%. In case of her taking antirivirial meds won't do much good against HSV-1 genitial just because it doesn't reoccur that much anyway and virial shedding isn't that much either. Plus who wants to have releations with a bunch of clothes on.
Reading that site will go over some of that information for you as well. Please feel free to keep asking questions. I am glad to help as the other posters are too.
The other side is where the gray area comes in and I wish I could give a black and white answer. But let me try to re-explain and hopefully it will make more sense for you.
There is a time where the virus is present and no symptoms are present. This is what we call asymptomatic shedding (a refering to no signs). With HSV-1 genitial this is 3-5% of days out of the year. There is no way to know when it is happening. So you would be at risk for transmission of herpes. But consider what that means to you in terms of days this virus would be active. You would have to line up and have sex on those days. We don't really know how long the virus lives on the skin during shedding either (at least I haven't seen anything on it).
I wish I could say it was completely risk free. Sadly it isn't clear cut like that. But we all know that life is an odds game. In this case the odds of you not getting caught with virial shedding is pretty much in your favor.
Telling you what precautions to take is hard because there is no 100% method of even protection you from getting it. Condoms only reduce the risk 30%. In case of her taking antirivirial meds won't do much good against HSV-1 genitial just because it doesn't reoccur that much anyway and virial shedding isn't that much either. Plus who wants to have releations with a bunch of clothes on.
Reading that site will go over some of that information for you as well. Please feel free to keep asking questions. I am glad to help as the other posters are too.
First of all, thank you for taking the time to answer my post in such detail.
However, I'm still a bit confused. So are you saying that I am only at risk if she has an outbreak, but otherwise it would be fine for us to have a normal intimate relationship?
However, I'm still a bit confused. So are you saying that I am only at risk if she has an outbreak, but otherwise it would be fine for us to have a normal intimate relationship?
First congrats on taking the proper first steps here. That is getting the knowledge of what is going on. With that being said I appluad you for taking such steps.
First off I am going to give you so information and I will finish up with a site that gives a herpes handbook which will give you some more information.
HSV is just a skin condition. Yes though it has a lot of stigma around it because some people get it sexually. So the churchie people want us to think its bad. HSV isn't going to kill you. It may make you hurt during outbreaks but it isn't like HIV that will kill you.
HSV-1 genitially of having any form of HSV is the best one to have (though we wish no one would get it). HSV-1 Genitially has far lower reoccuring outbreaks. Most people after the initial outbreak don't ever get another one and the most someone does typically get is 3-4 a year. Compared to HSV-2 genitially which reoccurs often unless on daily supressive therapy.
HSV-1 genitially also has a low shedding rate. There is a point in which the virus will reactivate on the skin but not cause lesisions or an outbreak. We call this aysmptomatic shedding. The virus is on the skin but the person who has it doesn't know. This number for HSV-1 is really low.
Now lets talk of transmission. The virus spreads by skin to skin contact in which heat and friction are present. The virus is confined to her genitial area. The areas impacted are in what we call the boxer short region. You won't get herpes from making out with this nice lady. Now your risk is from the genitial area when you have sex.
The overall risk is low in this case because of the type. You should avoid sexual contact when she is having and outbreak or may think she is having an outbreak. The good news is that she knows she has it and the other side is that this location and type is less serious and not much to worry about.
I highly would encourage you both to sit down and read www.westoverheights.com which has a Herpes Handbook. The owner of the clinic is our Herpes Expert (the forum you pay to post to the expert) Terri Warren. Her clinic deals with a lot of Herpes cases and has been involved in a lot of HSV studies. There is also some patient videos on there that I think would be helpful to both of you as well.
Also you have us. Ask as many questions on this thread as you want. Let us help you understand what is going on.
Again thank you for asking questions first before running for the hills. The more you know about this cowardly virus the less there is to fear.
First off I am going to give you so information and I will finish up with a site that gives a herpes handbook which will give you some more information.
HSV is just a skin condition. Yes though it has a lot of stigma around it because some people get it sexually. So the churchie people want us to think its bad. HSV isn't going to kill you. It may make you hurt during outbreaks but it isn't like HIV that will kill you.
HSV-1 genitially of having any form of HSV is the best one to have (though we wish no one would get it). HSV-1 Genitially has far lower reoccuring outbreaks. Most people after the initial outbreak don't ever get another one and the most someone does typically get is 3-4 a year. Compared to HSV-2 genitially which reoccurs often unless on daily supressive therapy.
HSV-1 genitially also has a low shedding rate. There is a point in which the virus will reactivate on the skin but not cause lesisions or an outbreak. We call this aysmptomatic shedding. The virus is on the skin but the person who has it doesn't know. This number for HSV-1 is really low.
Now lets talk of transmission. The virus spreads by skin to skin contact in which heat and friction are present. The virus is confined to her genitial area. The areas impacted are in what we call the boxer short region. You won't get herpes from making out with this nice lady. Now your risk is from the genitial area when you have sex.
The overall risk is low in this case because of the type. You should avoid sexual contact when she is having and outbreak or may think she is having an outbreak. The good news is that she knows she has it and the other side is that this location and type is less serious and not much to worry about.
I highly would encourage you both to sit down and read www.westoverheights.com which has a Herpes Handbook. The owner of the clinic is our Herpes Expert (the forum you pay to post to the expert) Terri Warren. Her clinic deals with a lot of Herpes cases and has been involved in a lot of HSV studies. There is also some patient videos on there that I think would be helpful to both of you as well.
Also you have us. Ask as many questions on this thread as you want. Let us help you understand what is going on.
Again thank you for asking questions first before running for the hills. The more you know about this cowardly virus the less there is to fear.
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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.
