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Genital Herpes - Questions
Hello,
I contracted genital herpes about six months ago and havent had an outbreak since.
Ive recently started dating someone and am really worried that I will pass it on to him.
When I first contracted the disease my doctor told me that it was possible to pass it on to a partner before you started showing any symptoms, as the skin would be shedding the infection before any sores etc appeared.
If this is the case, then surely it is impossible to be sure that you will never pass it on to a partner even if using condoms?
I was devastated when I contracted this myself and am horrified at the idea of passing it on to someone, and am now scared of having any kind of sex because of this.
I cant seem to find any information about exactly how likely it is to pass on when not showing any symptoms... can you help??
Also, is it ever possible to have had an outbreak without realising it??
My first outbreak was fairly severe and I cant imagine ever not knowing, but I have read things to say that maybe you wouldnt know... in which case, again, how would you know to avoid sex so as to avoid passing it on?
Thanks so much for your help!
I contracted genital herpes about six months ago and havent had an outbreak since.
Ive recently started dating someone and am really worried that I will pass it on to him.
When I first contracted the disease my doctor told me that it was possible to pass it on to a partner before you started showing any symptoms, as the skin would be shedding the infection before any sores etc appeared.
If this is the case, then surely it is impossible to be sure that you will never pass it on to a partner even if using condoms?
I was devastated when I contracted this myself and am horrified at the idea of passing it on to someone, and am now scared of having any kind of sex because of this.
I cant seem to find any information about exactly how likely it is to pass on when not showing any symptoms... can you help??
Also, is it ever possible to have had an outbreak without realising it??
My first outbreak was fairly severe and I cant imagine ever not knowing, but I have read things to say that maybe you wouldnt know... in which case, again, how would you know to avoid sex so as to avoid passing it on?
Thanks so much for your help!
just make sure it was the lesion culture that was hsv1+ and not just the blood tests.
correct, hsv1 genitally sheds less often in general and also reoccurs less often in general.
correct, hsv1 genitally sheds less often in general and also reoccurs less often in general.
Thanks Grace,
Ive been in touch with the clinic and they've told me its hsv1 - they had taken blood tests at the time but results were simply over the phone and at the time I couldnt think to go into details!
It sounds as though hsv1 is marginally less infectious, is this correct?
Ive discussed this with a couple of people in the last couple of days and am feeling a little more confident that i'll be able to have a normal sex life again, everyone is assuring me that the real time to avoid any kind of sex is (obviously) when having an outbreak.
I suppose my main concern now is the whole issue of not necessarily being aware when you are having an outbreak.
Ive had a few instances recently where I thought an outbreak may be coming on (itching mainly) but it never comes to anything... would you think this might be an outbreak, or am i just getting a bit paranoid? I always suffered from thrush a lot so am no stranger to discomforts in that region, but now my first thought always goes to herpes.
Aaagh, its just always on my mind!!
Well thanks again for all your help, its really appreciated! :)
Ive been in touch with the clinic and they've told me its hsv1 - they had taken blood tests at the time but results were simply over the phone and at the time I couldnt think to go into details!
It sounds as though hsv1 is marginally less infectious, is this correct?
Ive discussed this with a couple of people in the last couple of days and am feeling a little more confident that i'll be able to have a normal sex life again, everyone is assuring me that the real time to avoid any kind of sex is (obviously) when having an outbreak.
I suppose my main concern now is the whole issue of not necessarily being aware when you are having an outbreak.
Ive had a few instances recently where I thought an outbreak may be coming on (itching mainly) but it never comes to anything... would you think this might be an outbreak, or am i just getting a bit paranoid? I always suffered from thrush a lot so am no stranger to discomforts in that region, but now my first thought always goes to herpes.
Aaagh, its just always on my mind!!
Well thanks again for all your help, its really appreciated! :)
you definitely need a better follow up on this. You need at this point to get a type specific herpes igg blood test to see if you have hsv1 and/or hsv2 in your body. Your partner also needs tested to see what their status is. A visual diagnosis only of herpes was totally inappropriate!
you are not shedding herpes virus 24/7/365. The over all risk of transmission is rather low in general and taking precautions to protect a partner like the handbook suggests just puts the odds even more in favor of your partner not contracting it from you.
you are not shedding herpes virus 24/7/365. The over all risk of transmission is rather low in general and taking precautions to protect a partner like the handbook suggests just puts the odds even more in favor of your partner not contracting it from you.
Thanks Grace,
I dont know whether its hsv1 or 2, i was never told.
I was diagnosed at a clinic as I had a number of blisters/legions, which the dr immediately diagnosed as herpes... I assume its hsv2 but dont know unfortunately!
Thanks for recommending the handbook, id not heard of it before and it was definitely useful.
Unfortunately it seems that my earlier question about passing it on is impossible to answer, everything i read suggests that you can have a recurrence without knowing it, so it sounds as though there will always be a chance of passing it on to a partner... this is rather depressing news.
Do you happen to know what the chances are of passing on when showing no symptoms? I cant seem to find any indication of the %s of this happening...
Am I right in thinking that technically you are always at risk of infecting someone you are having a sexual relationship with?
Also, are you just as likely to pass it on through just touching etc, or is this less risky??
Sorry so many questions, just trying to get this straight in my head! :(
Thanks again for your help
I dont know whether its hsv1 or 2, i was never told.
I was diagnosed at a clinic as I had a number of blisters/legions, which the dr immediately diagnosed as herpes... I assume its hsv2 but dont know unfortunately!
Thanks for recommending the handbook, id not heard of it before and it was definitely useful.
Unfortunately it seems that my earlier question about passing it on is impossible to answer, everything i read suggests that you can have a recurrence without knowing it, so it sounds as though there will always be a chance of passing it on to a partner... this is rather depressing news.
Do you happen to know what the chances are of passing on when showing no symptoms? I cant seem to find any indication of the %s of this happening...
Am I right in thinking that technically you are always at risk of infecting someone you are having a sexual relationship with?
Also, are you just as likely to pass it on through just touching etc, or is this less risky??
Sorry so many questions, just trying to get this straight in my head! :(
Thanks again for your help
how were you diagnosed as having genital herpes? do you have hsv1 or hsv2?
have you read the herpes handbook yet? just google it and it comes up.
grace
have you read the herpes handbook yet? just google it and it comes up.
grace
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
