Everyone knows that you need to disclose your GH status when you're embarking on a long-term relationship. However, not everyone is lucky enough to find a long-term prospect, especially one so accepting. Others may not be ready for a serious relationship.
Does that mean such GH individuals need to remain sexless? No. Casual sex can still be an option, but should you disclose, and if so, how?
What annoys me about most GH info sites and advice columns is that they only talk about GH in the context of monogamous relationships, but what about sex and the GH single? The same ways to reduce transmission apply, but the disclosure issue is a somewhat controversial area.
Some argue that you must always disclose regardless, because you are playing with other people's lives. Very black and white, no grey areas whatsoever. Doesn't even matter which type you have, as GH is GH.
On the other hand, a person with GH who is doing everything possible to reduce transmission (i.e., sex outside of outbreaks/prodrome, proper condom usage, daily suppressive therapy) is far less risky than a person who falsely assumes they're clean because they're asymptomatic and acts recklessly as a result. Isn't that how some of us ended up with this thing?
Heterosexual transmission risks of HSV-2 can be reduced to 1% and 4% for men and women, respectively, if the above mentioned preventative measures are adopted. That's extremely low, but it's also not 0%.
HSV-1 is barely an issue when it comes to genital-to-genital transmission. Most cases are caused by oral sex, so should those with cold sores, even if from long ago, also be required to disclose? Why is genital HSV-1 viewed as worse than oral HSV-1? It's the same exact virus, just in a different location.
Anyway, I am not justifying one over the other, but just thought I'd put it out there for discussion. For those of you who have engaged in casual sex since GH, what did you do? For single GH newbies, have you given this any thought? Curious!