Herpes question I can't find a straight answer to:

[manda-nut.livejournal.com]

Can some one with herpes still have sex??

It may sound silly, but no one has given me a straight answer on this one. And I didn't find it anywhere else on the community. I don't know which type of herpes I have (when I asked the nurse she looked at me all confused and asked "why does it matter? It's herpes"). I'm on a twice-a-day anti-viral. I've never had a sore in my mouth (or eye or nose etc.). I switched birth control so I only have my period 4 times a year with the hope that fewer hormone changes would mean fewer outbreaks. I'm not at all opposed to using a condom. And I haven't had an outbreak in months.

So what's the scoop? Valtrex ads on tv would have me think they're the only way I may not spread herpes, but it's still going to happen eventually (and I'm allergiv to Valtrex, damn them!). The "INTERNETSS!!!11" would have me think that I should just kill myself now because I'll never find someone to have sex with me. And I've already had one great guy stop dating me when I told him.

Thanks in advance!

Comments

[neaira.livejournal.com]

Are you seriously condoning NOT telling someone if you have an STI?

[rkt.livejournal.com]

how many people run around disclosing cold sores prior to make out sessions? they're quintessentially the same virus. hsv 1 and hsv2 just prefer to hang out in different areas of the body.

orally, it's far more visible and, thus, more immediately noticed.

i'm not saying what anyone should or shouldn't do - just an option that is less accepted because sex is taboo and kissing is less so.

[cabsy.livejournal.com]

More people than you would think ask about cold sores. I ALWAYS ask if someone has had cold sores before I will kiss them.

[suicidekitty911.livejournal.com]

i always, always tell! it never occurred to me not to.
hrm.

[speckled-hen.livejournal.com]

This, I think is a very good point.
I get the occasional coldsore, although I haven't had one for several years now, and come to think of it, I've not mentioned it to my boyfriend at all as it's not even crossed my mind.
I might go and have a rethink now I've read this post.

Location Location Location!

[primordial1.livejournal.com]

Actually not true;

You can have hsv 1 gentially and hsv 2 orally. Didn't so much used to be the case, but the times, it seems, are a changing.