Hi, my name is Kristy, I’m 57. My new boyfriend has herpes. Yes, I’m beyond freaked out, but love him and I need HONEST answers from real people who have this and what I can expect. I think the easiest way is to “bullet” my questions. Here goes…
1. I have oral hsv1, (cold sores). can I get hsv2, or does having hsv1 give me an immunity to it/ a bit more immunity to it at all?
Assuming I can still contract hsv2, here are my next questions…
2. My boyfriend lives far away and we see each other about once every 6 weeks. If I take Valtrex about 2 weeks before he comes to see me and he takes it all the time, and we both continue to take it while he’s here and we’re intimate, will it help with me not catching it? Or does it only help the person who actually has hsv2? I know it helps him, but I don’t know if it’s helping me to not catch it.
3. If my boyfriend doesn’t have a breakout and has no signs or symptoms of having a breakout, no pre signs of shedding, itching, etc, AND is taking Valtrex, what are the chances he can still give it to me? (Again, we would both be on Valtrex).
4. We are monogamous with each other and I’d really like to have unprotected sex with him, because condoms really bother my skin, (latex/silicone) and I get a terrible rash from both, so I’d really like to know what the chances are of contracting hsv2 with zero signs or symptoms from my partner. I really need to hear everyone’s experience with this please. The condoms/rashes are killing me.
5. Does using a good lubricant help deter the transmission of it also? (Can a good lubricant coat the penis/scrotum and give it a barrier of protection?
6. If my boyfriend doesn’t have a breakout, no signs or symptoms of shedding, and is taking Valtrex, what are the chances I could get hsv2 by giving him a blowjob? (No vaginal intercourse or kissing, etc). As noted above, I already have oral hsv1. I am really confused with this one…can I get hsv2 in my mouth that will spread through my body and later show up as hsv2 in my genitals??
Thanks for listening. I’m really confused.