Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Herpes 2

My husband of 12 years as only just disclosed to me that he has been living with Herpes 2 for the past 15 years.
As you can imagine I am shocked. I always thought we had a weird sex life, of my husband 99% of the time wearing a condom, but this was to protect me. I have had a smear test which included a HPV test and both were clear. I have never had any signs or symptoms.
What are the chances of me having this now?
12 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Thank you for the advise, My head is spinning with it all and am convincing myself that I have had the symptom's. Like I feel itchy now! Am unsure if its all in my mind. I spoke to him last night he told me he had visited the doctors years ago when he had the so called outbreak...tablets were given etc...but he never had the blood test. So I have asked him to go and get a test. Which he has agreed too. He says he denfinely  has it.Wish he didn't like everyone else....A big thanks to you all for trying to explain this to me.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You have quite an amazing story. I can't quite fathom that your husband has lived with this 'secret' for 12 years from you. It must be a relief for him and an adjustment for you.

What do you want to be different from now on? The best you can do is talk about transmission mitigation. Whether he takes antivirals, continues to use condoms etc. then once agreed move on and relegate the HSV into irrelevance. You will always be at risk of being infected and may even have it already, believe me in this circumstance, you just do not want to know as it can fill your head with unproductive processing. Now I know that was easy for me to say as both my wife and I have HSV2 and that makes it easier, but we consciously eradicated thinking about HSV from our lives and just let what happens, happen. It only arose during pregnancies and now in the sense of educating our children.
Helpful - 0
3149845 tn?1506627771
Well that certainly would be a sign. There a excellent book that you can down load free by terri warren called "the updated herpes handbook" from westover hights. All kinds of good information that i know will be helpfull to you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Right I have had cold sores as a teenager?
Helpful - 0
3149845 tn?1506627771
Just be aware that not have symptoms does not gurantee you cannot contract it. There is a thing called shedding where the virus is at the surface anywhere below the waist and can be contracted then.
At this point it might not be a bad idea to get tested yourself just to see if you have it. Its estimated that 70% of the adult population would test positive for hsv1 as was contracted at childhood. If you are positive it would lower  your risk as you would have antibodies already.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Its 2
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have just being reading some other posts that say when they get their results it reads a number? Is this how long they have had the virus for? Thanks all this is new and am trying to understand him and this Herpes.
He has told me this is why we haven't slept together at certain times when he feels an outbreak happening and he has always tried to protect me by nothing sex or when it is clear using a condom.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes, he has an outbreak about three times a year. He has never had sex with me when this has happened and I have no signs or symptoms.
Helpful - 0
3149845 tn?1506627771
I guess what im asking is it oral or genital and is it hsv1 or 2 and has he told you if he has ever had an outbreak?
Yes you can still have children.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi not too sure what you mean by status? I intend staying with him..we are married and have been together for 12 years.
He told me he had a blood test and swab test I think that's what its called?
I have heard you can still have children? Mine you am 44 now and not a broody person.
Helpful - 0
3149845 tn?1506627771
I agree with Fleetwood and would like to add that you need to find out more what he has and where and what test he did to confirm this. Very important to know this before you get to concerned.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Probably 50/50 or better. Transmission with condoms would average 5% per annum. You may even have built some immunity.

You do have a decision to make of course. If it is to stay with your husband and move on together, is there any point in learning your status? It is something you would only really need to know if having children.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
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.