Sexually Transmitted Diseases Forum - Genital Herpes and sex

Conditions and Diseases > Sexually Transmitted Diseases Forum > Genital Herpes and sex

20% of the population has or carries herpes simplex virus. But do you know what herpes is? Learn about causes and risk factors for herpes. ...

Q: Genital Herpes and sex

asked by: dontwastewine on January 6th, 2008

New User

Last week I was diagnosed with genital herpes. Aside from the devastation and feelings, I had lots of questions for my doctor. She informed me that by taking acyclovir once a day i would have little to no outbreaks again. But any sex I have must be protected by a condom. Which was expected. I got it from my boyfriend, who had it for years I guess and never knew it (no symptoms), so I asked my doctor about sex between him and I, since we are both infected, how does that work? She replied that even though we are both infected we must use protection every single time still because if not then we will just "re-give" the infection to each other over and over again and it will get worse and worse, even if we are on medication. When I told this news to a few close people, they disagreed and suggested I get another doctors opinion. Any thoughts or answers to this?

Replies(2)

braizzle

replied on January 21st, 2008

New User

it's not that you'll "re-give" it. you already have it! it's a virus, and it never goes away. But, it is possible to infect other parts of your body. Right now the virus is centralized in one location on your body, but with careless activities, it can spread, which could be what she means by worse.. Besides that, your body builds antibodies for the virus, so the longer you have it, the more your body is able to supress it, so to say that it gets worse in that regard is bogus. So, at this point, it's really more of a personal decision you and your boyfriend would have to make. Do you want to use condoms or not? are you willing to take the chance that the virus will spread... perhaps down your thighs? you're dealing with a situation where the negitive effects are slim, but possible. and it's up to you how careful you want to be.

Rosie H

replied on January 21st, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

i disagree with your doctor also. Since you are both positive you cannot keep giving it to eachother...you already have it. Since you are in a committed relationship and you are both positive there is reallt no need for condoms.
The only thing you both SHOULD NOT DO is have sex when there is an active herpes outbreak. You can transfer the SORE back and forth and cause an outbreak over and over again....maybe thats what she meant?

If you are having sex with someone else that doesnt have herpes then yes condoms are a must. Also if your partner did not have herpes then condoms and medication could drastically prevent giving them herpes....

But in a committed relationship like yours its really not important.

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc