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Question: Girlfriend just told me she has herpes, a few questions
| junkbox
- Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:25 pm |
Okay so someone I really care about just told me she had herpes.
She has been outbreak free for over a year. We had protected sex the other day for the first time, and then she informed me about the herpes afterwards.
I am not too concerned about myself at this point but I have a few questions, she will also be taking daily valtrex:
1. Can I perform oral sex on her? What are the risks?
2. Do I need to be extra conscious when I touch her sexually? Meaning do I need to make sure I don't get her fluids on other parts of my body? Should I wash my hands often? Are there risks associated with touching and petting?
3. What about sex without a condom?
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| Dr. Leigh Anderson
- Sat Feb 17, 2007 7:19 pm |
 The most common herpes viruses are herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Usually HSV-1 causes cold sores or Fever blisters on or around the lips and HSV-2 affects areas below the waist, causing genital herpes. But both HSV-1 and HSV-2 viruses can cause herpes outbreaks in either area.(I, e.. can be transmitted by touching/ or oral sex to your genitals after being exposed to someone who has an active outbreak or cold sore.
There is not a cure Once a person has been infected with HSV 1 OR 2 . Even though your girlfriend is taking Valtrex (which only aides in controlling break-outs) It does not guarentee that the virus cannot be passed even if medication is taken every day. Even if your partner has been outbreak free for a year does not mean that you have not been exposed to the virus.
It is recommened that a condom should be used during intercourse to help control the spread of any STD including HSV.
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| junkbox
- Sat Feb 17, 2007 11:59 pm |
Thanks for the reply.
I realize there are always going to be risks, but I guess I am still up in the air?
Is touching her genitals with my finger essentially no different than touching her genitals with my penis when it comes to transmission?
Meaning, I touch her with my fingers, I can still get sores on my penis?
Same question for oral. I don't care if I get a cold sore from given her oral sex.
What I don't want to happen is to give her oral sex (assume all else constant and nothing else happens just for the sake of arrgument) and then end up with sores on my genitals. Is that possible?
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| Dr. Leigh Anderson
- Sun Feb 18, 2007 1:16 pm |
Hi JunkBox,
I am bolding your questions and my answer will be underneath the test:
Is touching her genitals with my finger essentially no different than touching her genitals with my penis when it comes to transmission?
Yes it is no different.
Meaning, I touch her with my fingers, I can still get sores on my penis?
Yes. If you touch your lips, mouth, your penis, you can transmit the virus.
What I don't want to happen is to give her oral sex (assume all else constant and nothing else happens just for the sake of arrgument) and then end up with sores on my genitals. Is that possible?
The Disease of center control, strongly urges that oral sex not be performed when someone has been infected with HSV1 OR HSV2.
I hope this helps.
Good Luck
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