Question 1

what are the chances of giving my partner genital herpes if we use protection and i'm on daily suppressive therapy of valtrex (valacyclovir) and i have no symptoms ?

Accepted Answer

50%: Two variables are at play here. If you have no symptoms you do not know where you are infected and thus condoms only protect him if the infection is where his covered penis comes in contact with you.  Second suppressive therapy only suppresses viral shedding by 30 to 50%.

Question 2

i gave my partner genital herpes through oral sex (hsv1) with no symptoms but had an outbreak a few weeks beforehand. she then passed it on to me through sex as she was unaware. does this mean i have hsv2 and 1 now?

Accepted Answer

: HSV 1 and 2 are 2 different viruses. HSV 1 is more prevalent on the lips, but in the recent years it has been found more often in the genital area. HSV 2 is seen in the genital area. Both look the same when the outbreak happens, behave similarly and are treated with the same medications (for outbreaks or for suppression). Only a blood test for antibodies will be able to differentiate between them.

Question 3

what should you do if your partner has genital herpes?

Accepted Answer

Outbreaks: Be aware of outbreaks.  Avoid sex for 7-10 days after an outbreak heals.  Have your partner consider taking medication for suppression of the herpes virus.  Use condoms.

Question 4

what protection should i use if my partner has genital herpes?

Accepted Answer

Avoid Direct Contact: Genital herpes is essentially spread by direct contact with an infectious area.  It is very common and easy spread.  Genital herpes can be spread even if you or your partner don't see any sores - orally or genitally.  Valtrex (valacyclovir) has been shown to reduce, not eliminate the risk for asymptomatic transmission. Condoms can help but contact outside of the condom covered areas can result in infection.

Question 5

can any one of the partners contract genital herpes by having oral sex?

Accepted Answer

Herpes transmission: If one of you already has genital herpes and is shedding virus at the time of oral sex then it can be passed to the other person.

Question 6

is it true that you may infect your partner with genital herpes even if you had no outbreaks ever?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately yes: Herpes infection can indeed transmit even if you have no outbreaks because some of the outbreaks are "silent" or "invisible".

Question 7

if my partner has genital herpes and i do not because we use protection, how am i supposed to have a baby the natural way when i will be exposed hsv2?

Accepted Answer

Genital Herpes: First. To cut down on the contagiousness of your partner he should be on a daily dose of valacyclovir. Second, just because he has been exposed to herpes type two, that does not imply that he has herpes on his penis.  Unless he has sores and knows where his infection is then one cannot just assume they are on the penis. It sounds like you need a doctor that is up to date on this information.

Question 8

if i have a food allergy related cold sore that has been treated and is dried up and i gave oral sex will my partner get genital herpes?

Accepted Answer

Maybe : If the cold sore was still shedding herpes virus, then you could have transmitted it to your partner.

Question 9

how do i go about telling future partners i have genital herpes?

Accepted Answer

Good question: Since herpes may be transmitted silently, telling future partners is the right thing to do.  Be familiar with the medical facts:  http://www.Cdc.Gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.Htm  it may be helpful for a partner to be tested for hsv antibodies.  If positive, he or she is already a carrier as well.  If negative, you may consider daily Valtrex (valacyclovir) to reduce the risk of transmission. Condoms may help.

Question 10

may a woman get cervicitis from a partner that has genital herpes?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Infectious causes of cervicitis (infection or inflammation of the cervix, which is at the end of inside end of the vagina) are usually due to chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, genital hpv (human papilloma virus), and trichomonas. There is no cure for herpes, but anti-viral medication can treat it or prevent it from recurring.

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Doctor answers about:

Partner genital herpes

A member asked:

What are the chances of giving my partner genital herpes if we use protection and i'm on daily suppressive therapy of valtrex (valacyclovir) and i have no symptoms ?

A member asked:

I gave my partner genital herpes through oral sex (hsv1) with no symptoms but had an outbreak a few weeks beforehand. she then passed it on to me through sex as she was unaware. does this mean i have hsv2 and 1 now?

A member asked:

What should you do if your partner has genital herpes?

A member asked:

What protection should i use if my partner has genital herpes?

A member asked:

Can any one of the partners contract genital herpes by having oral sex?

A member asked:

Is it true that you may infect your partner with genital herpes even if you had no outbreaks ever?

A member asked:

If my partner has genital herpes and i do not because we use protection, how am i supposed to have a baby the natural way when i will be exposed hsv2?

A member asked:

If i have a food allergy related cold sore that has been treated and is dried up and i gave oral sex will my partner get genital herpes?

A member asked:

How do i go about telling future partners i have genital herpes?

A member asked:

May a woman get cervicitis from a partner that has genital herpes?

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