Can you have unprotected sex with herpes?
It’s normal to feel upset after a herpes diagnosis. Herpes is a very common infection. It remains in the body for life and can produce symptoms that come and go. For most people, the virus weakens over time and symptoms appear less and less frequently over the course of a few years.
Condoms don't protect against herpes
Unlike many other sexually transmitted diseases, herpes spreads by skin-to-skin contact instead of through bodily fluids. Condoms can reduce the risk of transmitting herpes, but do not fully protect against it. Since condoms don't cover all areas of potentially infectious skin, they cannot completely stop the spread of herpes.
Condoms Reduce Herpes Risk by 30%
Although they aren’t that effective at preventing it, condoms do reduce the risk of contracting or transmitting herpes by about 30%, according to a 2009 study by E. Martin in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Can you spread gential herpes if you have unprotected sex without herpes outbreak?
Yes, it’s possible. Herpes is most contagious when sores are open and wet, because fluid from herpes blisters easily spreads the virus. But herpes can also “shed” and get passed to others when there are no sores and your skin looks totally normal.
Most people get herpes from someone who doesn’t have any sores. Up to 70% of new cases of herpes are transmitted from someone showing no apparent symptoms at the time they infect their partner.
Can you have unprotected sex with herpes?
If you have negative partner, and your partner accept the risk, it is ok to have unprotected sex with herpes. Your partner should be informed and aware of the risks.
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Monogamous couples who know their status may want to forgo the use of condoms for whatever reason (i.e. in order to get pregnant, or because condoms are just not preferred and they are monogamous and use birth control). This is still possible as long as other precautions are taken and both parties are informed and aware of the risks.
How to have unprotected sex and not spread herpes
1. Stop having sexual contact as soon as you feel warning signs of an outbreak. Warning signs may include a burning, itching, or tingling feeling. Do not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex — even with a condom. Wait until seven days after the sore heals. The virus can spread from sores not covered by the condom. It can also spread in sweat or vaginal fluids to places the condom doesn’t cover.
2. Use condoms between outbreaks to reduce the risk of transmission.
3. Use herpes treatments. The risk of transmission can be greatly reduced if the partner with herpes takes a small daily dose of anti-herpes medication.
4. A dental dam is a latex barrier that can be placed over the vulva/vagina (and anal area if involved) to prevent skin-to-skin contact during oral sex.
Touching any type of herpes sore may spread the virus from one partner to another or from part of the body to another, especially during initial herpes. If you have herpes sores
- Don’t touch the sores. If you do, wash your hands with soap and water — this kills the virus. Wash your hands after going to the bathroom, before rubbing your eyes, and before touching a contact lens.
- Don’t wet contact lenses with saliva — especially if you have oral herpes.
- If you have a cold sore on your mouth, don’t kiss anyone — especially infants, children, or pregnant women.
Herpes Transmission Rates
- The likelihood of passing genital herpes to a partner is highest during an outbreak (times when a sore is present).
- When a person is not experiencing an outbreak, there is a 4-10% chance of transmitting it. (Depending on sex of infected person)
According to studies done by Valtrex, these are the rates of transmission per year of regular sex:
- If partners avoid sex during outbreaks: 4% chance transmission from female to male; 8% male to female
- If partners also use condoms or antiviral medication: 2% female to male; 4% per year male to female
- If partners also use condoms and antiviral medications: 1% female to male; 2% male to female
When Both Partners Have Herpes
Congratulations — you can skip having the talk! If you and your partner have the same type of herpes, you have more freedom than a couple not trying to infect one partner. You can have a full unproected sex life. If you both have HSV-2, for example, you both already have the antibodies built up and cannot be re-infected.
You will also not necessarily have the same need to avoid sex during and around times of outbreaks, but you will probably want to, for the sake of avoiding discomfort or prolonging the outbreak by irritating it. There are dating sites for people with herpes that can help you to meet potential partners with the same type of HSV as you.
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