passing genital herpes

[staffwriter.livejournal.com]

I have a quick question.

Does anyone on this community have genital herpes (either type1 or type2) and have condomless sex with their partner anyway? If so, has your partner been tested and has he/she gotten it?

I've been reading and it seems that "everyone" who has the herpes virus, either type on either location (oral or genital) can spread it to anyone at any time. But i've been reading stuff online about people who have type1 genital herpes and still have condomless sex and for some reason, their partner hasn't gotten it. (even after years of sex) ...Seems odd? So some people are more contagious than others i guess?

I saw a gyno last week because i was told i had gential herpes, type1. I went there to ask her questions and have her explain to me how i got it. She kinda dismissed it and told me herpes was a "can of worms." She told me she doesn't know if i'll pass it to someone or not. However, she didn't preach safer sex or anything like that. She made it seem like it wasn't too much of a big deal. Which made me feel better...but everything i read online makes it seem like it's a huge deal.

If you have it, or know someone who has it, how much of a deal is it to you?

(It's weird. People who get herpes type1 on their mouths aren't told they can never kiss anyone again. But people who have type1 on their genitals are told (via the web) to never have condomless sex again.)

Comments

[rockstarbob.livejournal.com]

Here is an excerpt from a new resource the VP Team is compiling. Perhaps something here will answer your question:

Who is at risk for herpes? How do you get it?
HSV is transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact via the exchange of saliva, semen, cervical fluid, or vesicle fluid from active lesions. The virus generally does not infect the dead, keratinized cells in the epidermis. It must come in contact with mucosal cells or abraded skin to begin replication and infection (source (http://dermatology.about.com/cs/genitalherpes/a/genherp_women.htm)).

You can also contract herpes when no sores are present during times when the virus is "shedding."

Are women more at risk for contracting herpes?
Yes. Studies have shown that women are approximately four times more likely to contract HSV-2 than men. Women may be more susceptible to genital herpes infections because the genital area has a greater surface area of cells moist with body fluids (mucosal cells) than men. What's more, hormone changes during a woman’s menstrual cycle may affect the immune system making it easier for the herpes simplex virus to cause an infection (source (http://dermatology.about.com/cs/genitalherpes/a/genherp_women.htm)).

[princess-kessie.livejournal.com]

You might want to add that oral herpes can also be spread by sharing eating/drinking utensils and anything else that comes into contact with the sufferer's mouth, including towels, facewashers, sponges and toothbrushes.. As a long-term oral herpes sufferer, it was determined (by my doctor) that I caught mine from my grandfather, who NEVER ONCE kissed me on the mouth or anywhere near my mouth. Sure the risk is lower than direct contact, but it CAN and DOES happen.

[rockstarbob.livejournal.com]

Yeah, thanks! That's actually elsewhere in the "article." :)

It'll be unveiled along with the rest of the new site later this summer.