Bother partners have herpes
When both partner have herpes, they may have many questions.
- So both my partner and I have tested positive for HSV-2, how should our sex lives change?
- Is oral sex an option for us?
- If one of us is having an outbreak and the other is not, can we still have sex?
- Would sex during an outbreak cause the other partner to get an outbreak?
What Happens If Both Partners Have HSV-1?
When both partners in a relationship have herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), the dynamics of their relationship, both physically and emotionally, can be different compared to relationships where only one person is affected.
While HSV-1 is commonly associated with cold sores around the mouth, it can also cause genital herpes. Understanding the implications of both partners having HSV-1 can help reduce anxiety, increase mutual understanding, and foster a healthier relationship.
Impact on a Relationship
If both partners in a relationship have HSV-1, there are several important considerations:
- Lower Risk of Transmission Between Partners: One of the most significant concerns for couples where one partner has HSV-1 is the risk of transmission. In this case, if both partners already have the virus, the risk of transmitting HSV-1 to each other is greatly reduced. This is because both partners have already been exposed to the same strain of the virus. However, it is still important to manage outbreaks and avoid sexual contact during active outbreaks to minimize the risk of spreading the virus to different areas of the body.
- Outbreaks and Symptoms: Although both partners may have HSV-1, it’s possible that one partner experiences more frequent or severe outbreaks than the other. Factors like stress, illness, or a weakened immune system can trigger outbreaks. Open communication about managing symptoms and outbreaks is key to preventing discomfort and emotional distress for both partners. Some individuals may only experience outbreaks once or twice a year, while others may have them more frequently.
- Physical Considerations: For couples who have genital HSV-1, it’s essential to communicate openly about the location of outbreaks and any physical symptoms. Using protection during sexual activity can still help prevent the spread of the virus to other parts of the body, even when both partners have HSV-1. In the case of oral HSV-1, the same considerations apply if either partner experiences outbreaks on their mouth or lips.
- No Need for Isolation: One of the psychological benefits of both partners having HSV-1 is that neither person needs to feel embarrassed or isolated about their condition. There’s no stigma to manage when both individuals understand and accept the reality of living with the virus. This mutual understanding can help create a supportive environment for managing the virus and any associated symptoms.
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When both partners in a relationship have HSV-1, the likelihood of transmission is greatly reduced, but care should still be taken to prevent outbreaks from spreading to other areas of the body. Most importantly, both partners should prioritize their emotional health and well-being, creating a strong foundation of trust and support in the relationship. With awareness and careful management, a fulfilling and healthy relationship is entirely possible.
What to do when both partners have hsv-2?
When both partners have hsv-2, you will have a great unprotected sex life. For long-term couples where both individuals have HSV-2, unprotected sex is generally considered safe. Since both partners already carry the same strain of the virus, they’re not at risk of contracting it again, even if one partner has an active outbreak. This makes unprotected sex an option that many couples with the same HSV strain choose for their physical intimacy.
When both partners share the same HSV-2 strain and there are no other STIs present, the chances of reinfection or transmitting the virus between partners is effectively eliminated.
If both partners have HSV-2 genitally, there’s no risk of catching the same strain orally during oral sex, but if one person has HSV-1 (cold sores), that could potentially be transmitted to the genitals. Therefore, it’s crucial to be mindful of outbreaks in both areas of the body—genital and oral—to avoid cross-transmission between different strains.
Can two people with HSV reinfect each other?
Two people with the same type of herpes virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2) generally cannot reinfect each other with the same strain of the virus in the same location. Once a person is infected with a specific strain of herpes, their body develops antibodies to fight that particular virus, reducing the risk of reinfection in the same location.
However, it's important to note the following:
What About Oral Sex? While the risks associated with unprotected genital sex in a relationship where both partners have the same strain are low, caution should be exercised with oral sex, especially if one partner has an outbreak. If one partner has a genital outbreak, it’s wise to avoid oral-genital contact to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to the mouth (oral herpes).
- Different Locations: Even if both partners have the same type of herpes, they can potentially transmit the virus to each other in different locations. For example, if one partner has oral herpes (HSV-1) and the other has genital herpes (also HSV-1), they could theoretically transmit the virus to each other in both the oral and genital areas, respectively.
- New Infections: It is possible for individuals with herpes to acquire additional herpes infections with different strains of the virus. For instance, if one partner has HSV-1 and the other has HSV-2, they can potentially transmit these different strains to each other. In such cases, they would have two distinct herpes infections.
- Outbreaks: Having the same strain of herpes does not guarantee that both partners will always be asymptomatic or outbreak-free. Outbreaks can still occur, especially if there are triggers such as stress or illness.
- Asymptomatic Shedding: Even when not experiencing visible symptoms (asymptomatic shedding), individuals with herpes can potentially transmit the virus to their partner. This is why safe sex practices and precautions are important, even within monogamous relationships where both partners have herpes.
In summary, while two people with the same type of herpes typically cannot reinfect each other with the same strain in the same location, they should still take precautions to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to each other in different areas or acquiring additional herpes infections.
If you and your partner both have HSV-1 or HSV-2, would sex during an outbreak cause the other partner to get an outbreak?
If you or your parnter's infection is less than 4 months old then he / you might be at small risk of getting further infections. It is very unlikely unless have direct contact with an active outbreak.
If your patner and you have the same strain for over 4 months, an outbreak on one won't trigger one on the other.
Once a person is infected with a type of herpes in one location, they become largely protected from getting infected with the same type of herpes in another location at a later point in time.
This is because after one is infected with herpes the body creates antibodies to fight the virus. The body maintains these antibodies in the bloodstream and they protect from further infection. Different people generate antibodies at different rates, but by about 4 months post-infection the vast majority of people will have enough antibodies to prevent any further infection by the same type.
Many people will have sufficient antibodies a lot sooner than that (eg after several weeks).
Both partners with HSV1, one is having an outbreak, will kissing/oral sex cause outbreak in the other?
There's many different strains of the same virus, meaning that even though both of you have HVS-1, you can still infect each other with a different strain. If a person has cold sores on their lips, they can transmit them to their partner's genital area during oral sex. Similarly, a genital HSV-1 infection can be transmitted to a partner's mouth.
If one of your got it from the other, it'll be of the same strain, and you have nothing to worry. In that case, no, an outbreak on one won't trigger one on the other.
Bother partner have HSV2
If one of us is having an outbreak and the other is not, can we still have sex? Would sex during an outbreak cause the other partner to get an outbreak?
If you or your parnter's infection is less than 4 months old then he / you might be at small risk of getting further infections. It is very unlikely unless have direct contact with an active outbreak.
If your patner and you have the same strain for over 4 months, an outbreak on one won't trigger one on the other.
Can HSV2 be transmitted orally mouth to mouth?
You may want to know odds about transmitting the same type to a new place on your body. Almost all autoinoculation (transferring it to another place on your body) occurs during and around the time of the first infection. Once a good immune response to the virus has been mounted (and that usually takes about 4 months) autoinoculation if very rare. If it was easy, we would see small children who get cold sores transferring the virus to their genital often, which we never see.
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As long as the relationship is monogamous, both partners have the same type of herpes infection(s) (known as a seroconcordant couple), and both partners are free of other sexually transmitted infections, it's not necessary to use barrier methods like condoms or dental dams. Friction can aggravate herpes sores and slow healing, so you may want to avoid getting it on when one of you has an outbreak for comfort reasons.
On a related note, some folks with herpes actually seek a partner who has the same strain(s) of herpes, that way there's no risk of passing on the virus.
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PositiveSingles is one of the most popular dating websites for people suffering from herpes and other STD. It was initiated in 2001. With 1,510,800+ members you are sure to find lots of potentail people around you.