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Can you pass HSV2 genital herpes to a consenting partner in a controlled way?

I see a lot of data on trying to stop the virus spreading but if you have a new lifelong partner and one of you has HSV2 and the other doesn't then it is inevitable that eventually the virus will be passed on. So my question is whether or not there would be a controlled way in which you could purposefully pass the virus on in such a way or to such an area that would make it less uncomfortable for the recipient to get future outbreaks or perhaps be one of the ones that has the virus but doesn't get outbreaks? Eg/ Could it be passed straight in to the blood stream or perhaps to the buttox area which is going to be less uncomfortable than if it recurs in the vaginal area. I was under the impression that the virus returns mainly to the area that was first infected, is that a true understanding? Your comments and thoughts, experiences would be appreciated please. I am starting a long term relationship and would like to look at these options rather than wasting time seeking a cure or trying to avoid it passing on to my partner.

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Avatar universal
What an interesting topic! This is by NO means advice or a recommendation, but oral HSV-2 supposedly rarely ever outbreaks or sheds, yet should protect against acquiring it genitally. However, as with HSV generally, the virus doesn't always follow a rule book, so it would be a gamble that may not produce the desired outcome or could even backfire...

Not to mention kinda gross. I am picturing your wife having to do unmentionable things with her mouth to active lesions on your member, which might put her off sex indefinitely, lol. But in that case, even if it doesn't work, you wouldn't have to ever worry about transmitting it to her again!
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101028 tn?1419603004
First off, you would never want to put active herpes virus into the blood stream. you run the risk of a disseminated herpes infection which is never a good thing.

Is there a "better" place to be infected with herpes? Well not really. Once you are infected with herpes in the anal/genital area, it infects the entire sacral nerve ganglia and ob's can reoccur anywhere from the waist to the feet. Herpes recurrences are uncomfortable whether they are on the buttocks, anal area or actual genitals. I say this from 30 years of experience with the virus and having had recurrences in almost the entire boxer short area as we refer to it.

So what is the best way to proceed? Well infection to the uninfected partner is not inevitable. I will assume you are a male with a female partner. If you took daily suppressive therapy and avoided sex anytime you had anything going on genitally, your partner is 96% likely each year on average NOT to contract your hsv2. Condoms would lower it even more but most monogamous couples don't use them hence why I used that stat. That risk doesn't get any higher each year, it always stays the same. She is far more likely NOT to contract your hsv2 than she is to be infected with it. Since most relationships do not last forever, avoiding infection is usually preferred. If it happens, it happens but always it is more likely not to occur.

Hope that info helps :)

grace
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That was helpful info. Ive had the virus for about 10yrs and only have a couple of breakouts per year without taking any aciclovir tabs which would probably reduce it down further if i took them daily. I am an infected male and my new wife to be is uninfected. Of course I would like it to stay that way but the bit that concerns me is that i keep hearing about this shedding thats unoticable?? I am very aware of when im going to have an outbreak well before it flares up because of the time ive had the virus but is it really the case that it can spread through this shedding phase and is there no way to tell when this is happening?
Avatar universal
What you are proposing is a form of 'vaccination', although not one that would fit within any standard ethical medical framework.
The key reason being that your partner is only at a probability of being infected, not a certainty. Simply by being in tune with your body and avoiding outbreaks means there is a low chance per annum of infection. With an antiviral regime, the chance of infection over a lifetime can be 50/50.
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3149845 tn?1506627771
Im happy to answer you but this is not the nature of this forum to suggest where to infect someone. How would that work anyway, you would wait for genital sores and tell your partner to sit still and rub them into her back side. Then wait till she has sores develop along with flu like symptoms. Makes not sense.
It not that may people dont know they have it its more they have an outbreak but think its some else like a shaving cut.
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1 Comments
I hadn't really thought of the method as such. I was talking more from a lab point of view could it be cultured and then passed on in such a way in that the outbreaks dont occur but that doesnt seem possible. What comes first the flew symptoms or the sores?
3149845 tn?1506627771
Hi, yes your correct and thats why folks infected prefer to be with some one else whose also infected. I see the point to your reasoning but i dont think its a viable option as having a anal outbreaks maybe be more uncomfortable than genital. Yes it most often appears in the same spot, give or take an inch but thats not written in stone
Also note that herpes is not in the blood and cannot be passed into the blood, its in one of 3 nerve ganglions, the oral (from the breast up) the genital (boxer short area) and the hand.
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1 Comments
there must be some areas that are considered less aggressive or painful for outbreaks. Also how come some people have it but arent aware of it? is that not because it has been passed on to an area that is not as painful.. e.g how about deep inside? I would have thought it would be better around an area that is generally more exposed to air as it allows it to dry out quicker and heal sooner, also it doesnt like to grow in well oxygenated areas to my knowledge? What do you think?
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