diagnosis

[jill730]

I just began a new relationship and my partner and I agreed to get tested for STDs, but we had sex several times before we got the results.  My results were negative, but his doctor told him that he had exposure to HSV-2 and that he has to have additional tests.  We probably have had sex 10-20 times (including oral sex) with and without a condom before we received this news.  This is my first time being sexually active in a long time.  I do have some vaginal dryness and some mild irritation, but I don't know if this is from being sexually active or whether I have the HSV-2 virus also.  Please provide any guidance that you can. thanks.

[jill730]

thanks.  one last question regarding symptoms.  the itching that typically is experienced from an outbreak - - it is typically external (in the public hair area) or internal (in the actual vagina or labia area)?

[auntiejessi]

There is some debate about whether or not hsv1 offers protection, but if it does, we do know its not strong enough to rely on for prevention transmission of hsv2.

Aj

[jill730]

thanks.  i read somewhere that the fact that i have hsv-1 may make it a bit more difficult for me to contract hsv-2 but i'm not sure about that.  thanks again for your sage guidance.

[auntiejessi]

Since you have a prior hsv1 infection, you might not get any symptoms.  If you do, they will probably be mild - small blisters or sores, etc.

Aj

[jill730]

Thanks very much.  If I am infected, what types of symptoms would I experience?

[auntiejessi]

A few things pop out here, and I'm just going to be blunt.

Using condoms just before ejaculation doesn't offer much more protection for anything, and its defeating the purpose of using them.

Herpes is spread by skin to skin contact, and condoms offer about a 50% reduction in transmission if used from start to finish - as in the condom goes on before any contact has happened, and don't come off until after he ejaculates.  There isn't any risk from semen unless the semen comes into contact with an outbreak, and oral hsv2 is rare.

Your bf's doctor is wrong.  Using suppressive therapy offers at least a 50% reduction in transmission, and it makes NO difference if he has NO outbreaks, or 10 a year.  He still sheds.  The CDC recommends suppressive therapy for all discordant (one pos, one neg) couples.  He can show this to his doctor - http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/genital-ulcers.htm#genulc3  Pay specific attention to the part about Suppressive Therapy for Recurrent Genital Herpes.

In the absence of symptoms, your chances of getting hsv2 from him per year are:

* just avoiding sex during an outbreak - 8-10%
* using daily suppressive therapy OR condoms correctly, each and every time - 4-5%
* using condoms correctly and suppressive therapy - 2-3%

If you are infected, the infection takes place immediately, but you might not get symptoms for 2-20 days, and that's only the typical time line.  Given that you have hsv1, if you got hsv2, it would probably be very mild.

If you are so concerned about getting hsv2, perhaps this relationship isn't for you.  If you can't come to terms with a 90% or better chance per year that you WON'T get this, then you should probably leave the relationship.  It stinks, but its not fair for either of you if you stay while you are so concerned.

But your actions aren't really supporting that concern - you all decided on no suppressive therapy, and are sort of half using condoms.  

I think you both should read the herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com for more info on this, and then you can make an informed decision.

Aj