I've had genital herpes for about 10 years now. I'm living with my boyfriend and of course we had the talk. After 7 months of living together, he now has a sore in his pubic region - about his genitals, on the "pubic mound". It's been so long since I read up on my condition, I don't know if it's safe for use to have sexual contact while he has this sore. I've never had oral herpes - can I get it from him by putting my mouth near his genitals? Do we need to refrain from sex until it's healed? Can he bring on an outbreak on my genitals? I've told him he should see his doctor and get this swabbed and tested. I do take Valtrex every day. Thanks in advance.
If he got it from you and you have had it for years, then you *should* be immune to getting it elsewhere. Even so, it is always best practice to avoid intimate contact during an active outbreak, whether his or yours. Also, he will not have immunity built up yet, not until 4 months after infection, so he can still potentially spread it elsewhere (autoinoculation). Not very common, but it can happen, especially with first outbreaks. Which type do you have?
Thanks for responding, FelisCatus. I have HSV 2. He says that his sore is not painful - is this common? Maybe it's not herpes.
Pain can vary from person to person and by location, so it's hard to say. Normally it would hurt a little (to a lot) to touch, but not necessarily otherwise.
Mine do hurt a lot, but I suppose it can vary person to person. Since this would be his first outbreak, I'd expect at least some discomfort.
Mine tend to hurt only when touched and are not overly painful. Some people do not even recognise they are having an outbreak, so theirs must hurt very little. I think it can vary quite a lot.