Herpes and Relationships
Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States.
Many people who are infected with HSV-2 are not even aware that they are infected.
Most people do not show signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection - or the symptoms are very mild.
When signs of genital herpes do occur, they typically appear as outbreaks of blisters on or around the genital or rectal area.
The blisters break, leaving tender sores that may take two to four weeks to heal the first time they occur.
Another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but it is usually less severe and shorter than the first outbreak.
Though the herpes infection remains in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease over time.
After a person learns of their genital herpes diagnosis and finds out that it is an incurable, life-long condition, s/he may be concerned about what this means about current or future sexual relationships.
In regards to future sexual relationships, people who have genital herpes can experience normal sexual relationships despite their diagnosis.
There are things that an infected person must do to insure that they do not put any future partners at risk of contracting the genital herpes.
Keep in mind that abstinence is the only guaranteed way to prevent a sexual partner from contracting herpes.
For casual or short-term sexual relationships, use latex condoms to help lessen the likelihood of contracting genital herpes as well as a wide range of sexually transmitted infections.
Avoid direct genital skin-to-skin contact during a herpes outbreak, as this is the time the virus is most likely to be passed on.
Wearing a condom will not completely prevent transmission during an outbreak, as the virus may be present on the surrounding genital area.
In regards to a long-term relationships where both partners are knowledgeable of the genital herpes infection and the risk of transmission, for the couple to decide not to use a condom.
In both cases of casual sexual partners and long-term relationships, the issue of how to tell a partner that you have genital herpes arises.
It is common to think that any current or future sexual partner will reject you once they learn of your herpes diagnosis; however, most genital herpes infected people find that their partners are supportive of them and appreciate the courage it took to reveal their diagnosis.
If you are diagnosed with genital herpes while in a relationship, your partner may think that this is a sign of infidelity.
However, because of the nature of the virus, you could have had it long before your relationship.
Or, even still, it is possible that your partner never experienced symptoms from a herpes infection and transmitted the virus to you-and you are one of the few individuals who develop symptoms of the infection.
It is best to talk to a physician once you reveal your infection to a partner so that all of these concerns can be addressed.
At any rate, it is important to tell your partner of your condition, it shows them that you are a responsible partner who cares about your sexual health and the sexual health of your partner.
Your partner may also choose to be tested.
Regardless of their test results, in order to keep your sex life as normal as possible, you may want to look into treatments that will reduce the frequency, duration and severity of outbreaks, as well as maintain a healthy diet and avoid stressful situations which may trigger outbreaks.
The healthier lifestyle you lead, the less genital herpes will be an issue in your sex life.
Many people who are infected with HSV-2 are not even aware that they are infected.
Most people do not show signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection - or the symptoms are very mild.
When signs of genital herpes do occur, they typically appear as outbreaks of blisters on or around the genital or rectal area.
The blisters break, leaving tender sores that may take two to four weeks to heal the first time they occur.
Another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but it is usually less severe and shorter than the first outbreak.
Though the herpes infection remains in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease over time.
After a person learns of their genital herpes diagnosis and finds out that it is an incurable, life-long condition, s/he may be concerned about what this means about current or future sexual relationships.
In regards to future sexual relationships, people who have genital herpes can experience normal sexual relationships despite their diagnosis.
There are things that an infected person must do to insure that they do not put any future partners at risk of contracting the genital herpes.
Keep in mind that abstinence is the only guaranteed way to prevent a sexual partner from contracting herpes.
For casual or short-term sexual relationships, use latex condoms to help lessen the likelihood of contracting genital herpes as well as a wide range of sexually transmitted infections.
Avoid direct genital skin-to-skin contact during a herpes outbreak, as this is the time the virus is most likely to be passed on.
Wearing a condom will not completely prevent transmission during an outbreak, as the virus may be present on the surrounding genital area.
In regards to a long-term relationships where both partners are knowledgeable of the genital herpes infection and the risk of transmission, for the couple to decide not to use a condom.
In both cases of casual sexual partners and long-term relationships, the issue of how to tell a partner that you have genital herpes arises.
It is common to think that any current or future sexual partner will reject you once they learn of your herpes diagnosis; however, most genital herpes infected people find that their partners are supportive of them and appreciate the courage it took to reveal their diagnosis.
If you are diagnosed with genital herpes while in a relationship, your partner may think that this is a sign of infidelity.
However, because of the nature of the virus, you could have had it long before your relationship.
Or, even still, it is possible that your partner never experienced symptoms from a herpes infection and transmitted the virus to you-and you are one of the few individuals who develop symptoms of the infection.
It is best to talk to a physician once you reveal your infection to a partner so that all of these concerns can be addressed.
At any rate, it is important to tell your partner of your condition, it shows them that you are a responsible partner who cares about your sexual health and the sexual health of your partner.
Your partner may also choose to be tested.
Regardless of their test results, in order to keep your sex life as normal as possible, you may want to look into treatments that will reduce the frequency, duration and severity of outbreaks, as well as maintain a healthy diet and avoid stressful situations which may trigger outbreaks.
The healthier lifestyle you lead, the less genital herpes will be an issue in your sex life.
