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

[cbackson.livejournal.com]

In some states, knowingly passing an STI to someone that you haven't told in advance is assault. It may also subject you to civil liability.

Not a good idea.

[cbackson.livejournal.com]

I'll look back through my criminal law notes--we talked about it last year. With regard to civil liability, Dennis Rodman was actually sued for giving someone herpes without telling her that she was being exposed. It was a federal case (because they were from different states), but the applicable state law was that of Georgia, I think.

[laurenoid.livejournal.com]

Not sure if HSV-1 is considered an STI. My guess would be NO because that one so commonly manifests on the mouth in childhood. Like someone else said, most people have it in their system.

[ex-birds977.livejournal.com]

HSV-1 can be passed oral-oral, oral-genital, etc.

Both 'flavors' of HSV can be passed either way and either can cause oral or genital warts.

[askdrtroy.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you meant 'outbreaks' not 'warts'. HSV causes small ulcerations, HPV can cause genital warts.

[ex-birds977.livejournal.com]

Hey, mister-- I'm the English major, YOU'RE the doctor!! ;)

thanks for the edit!

[askdrtroy.livejournal.com]

No intent to offend, just wanted to clarify for those in the crowd that don't know the difference. I'm happy to see an English major in here, I'm totally anal about spelling and grammar. :D

[ex-birds977.livejournal.com]

I'm a creative writing major with a POETRY concentration so spelling and grammar are optional/arbitrary. I might not be yr girl :)

[askdrtroy.livejournal.com]

Regardless, still good to know you. I wouldn't hold anything against you. ;)

[laurenoid.livejournal.com]

I know, but I seriously doubt there could be legal ramifications for not revealing that one has HSV-1, as it isn't commonly classified as an STI.

[frankie-cat.livejournal.com]

then I wonder what would happen if someone got infected genitally with it?

[rkt.livejournal.com]

your guess would be incorrect. which is my point.

[laurenoid.livejournal.com]

I don't get how what I said supports your point, but what I mean is that HSV-1 is likely not legally classified as an STI, for the purposes of reckless endangerment laws or anything like that (discussed above.) HSV-2 may be, but I don't know whether either of them are, or whether there are even any states that actually have such laws.