So I've been "with" someone since August and I've only ever had one outbreak last October. I take the medication somewhat sporadically but more often if I know we are going to mess around. I was wondering if anybody with genital herpes has NOT given it to their partner when or if they have unprotected sex? It's possible right? I mean for your partner to not catch it? The doctor told me the meds would help reduce outbreaks and the chance of me giving it someone. Is this true? Has anybody had unprotected sex with someone and they didn't catch it?
And do you get sick when an outbreak is about to happen ? I've been getting sick like crazy. Stuffy noses, cough and one after the other. It's driving me nuts!
Genital herpes does not pass with every act of sexual intercourse, so of course it's possible to have sex (even unprotected) and to not pass it on. When HSV is infectious is during shedding. Viral shedding can be symptomatic (outbreaks) or asymptomatic.
The problem lies with asymptomatic shedding, since this happens without (recognised) symptoms and at random. Asymptomatic shedding is responsible for up to 70% of new infections (mostly Type 2). The type of HSV you have makes a big difference. Type 2 outbreaks and sheds far more frequently than Type 1.
I have hsv 1. So does that mean it's less likely for him to get it ? I've only ever gotten one outbreak but I get bv a lot. I was put on antibiotics for it. It feels like I have the slightest little start of an ob but it goes away. Maybe it's from the bv ? Thank you. How often does the shedding in type one occur ?
I have HSV1, and before I even knew I had it and symptoms were starting to show during my first outbreak, my boyfriend and I had unprotected sex and he does not have it - we've had sex many times even after the sores were gone and still nothing.
Apparently it's harder for men to contract it anyways, because of the pure biology behind their anatomy. Herpes likes to live in moist, enclosed places.
My boyfriend got treated after we found out I had it, and still it came back negative. We've been keeping an eye out for symptoms and it's been almost two months and still nothing! So it's quite possible to not spread it - take the meds, wait for the outbreak to be over (plus a few days after to be sure) and use a condom. Make sure you're both aware of the small risks and you'll be fine. As long as you communicate with one another, that's the most important thing.
Thank you. I don't know what I would do if he got it. So your boyfriend keeps testing negative? That's awesome. I'll hope for the same results. I didn't know it was harder for men to contract. That's ironic seeing as I know I got it from a man. He refuses to wear condoms and I'm allergic to them. I have to buy a special kind, but he won't wear them. I'm scared he's going to get it from me. It freaks me out even more that he doesn't seem to remember me telling him that I have HSV. Or maybe he doesn't care. Who knows. But that's incredibly reassuring. If you don't mind me asking, how often have you had outbreaks? And do you guys have sex often and he still doesn't have it? I'm petrified to bring it up because I swear he forgot or something.
Type 1 is better and less infectious, but I'd still be careful after a new infection, and if you're getting BV lots, another good reason to wear a condom anyway. How do you know you have Type 1, btw? Was it confirmed by a test?
All STDs are more easily caught by women than men due to our anatomy, unfortunately. Better tell him about your HSV again and ask him to do a full STD panel + HSV before unprotected sex. If he hates condoms that much, then he's presumably never or rarely wore one... Think about that first before letting him go without. You already have herpes; no need for anything else on top!
He tested negative - he has the antibodies for HSV1 but that is only because he has mouth cold sores since childhood.
How come your guy refuses to wear condoms? I was diagnosed back in November and only had my one initial outbreak. I have felt tingling but then it goes away... Think that's just the virus settling into my system. I have heard it's very hard and rare to pass on HSV1 if they have it in their mouth. I think this due to the fact that type 1 likes to live in the mouth, and not the genitals.
My bf still does not get any symptoms however one thing we did notice is that cold sores on his mouth have been recurring more often. I think this is because he goes down on me and maybe I'm shedding and it triggers in his mouth. So strange but I think that's what's going on. He doesn't mind though cuz he's had the virus since he was a kid. I'm a rare case as well, as I have had cold sores since I was a kid too and apparently it's harder for people to contract it genitally if they have the virus in their mouth. So I'm a very rare case!
We do have sex often, I feel my guy is very supportive and understanding. I think your guy should just do some research and educate himself a bit more - there's a stigma with the name, but honestly having it doesn't make me any less of a person. The right guy will stick by you.
Have your symptoms disappeared at all? The first 3-6 months after your initial outbreak can be tricky cuz it's settling into your system, which explains why my ex is seeing more cold sores on his mouth, probably from viral shedding on my part.
Anyway, let me know if you have any other questions, I'm here!
That's the problem. When shedding is asymptomatic, you don't. But genital Type 1 sheds only 5% of days, although this would be higher for new infections.
If he doesn't have it, then you won't get it orally. If he has it genitally, then you can still get it orally until you have produced sufficient antibodies, so 4-6 months from infection, but contact with lesions is still ill advised.
If your bf has it orally, then he's essentially immune from getting it genitally, which is why he didn't get it during your outbreak, although you should both avoid each other's outbreaks as best practice. Sometimes exceptions exist.