tc50

Thank you all :) Will touch base again once I have also read some more and perhaps an update. Thank you so so much

@positivelyBeautiful Thank you so much for your input. I strangely do somehow feel 'excited' for at least having HSV1... is that totally crazy on my part... :) But yes, I would like to take our relationship to the next level (not necessarily 'all the way' yet, but some kind of intimacy - which we've been holding off on too) and the more information I am getting the less scary this seems. By having some antibodies in me already, and then using condoms, getting him onto antivirals, cleaning after - I am hopeful. I am assuming I have oral... since no genital signs & perhaps if I think with colds or flu I got nose sores this could very well have been the herpes sores all along ... but I suppose I really have no sure way of knowing. I appreciate all the information coming my way. thank you

@WCSDander2010 @fitgirl Hi, so I found out yesterday that the test for HSV 1 is positive. I haven't had a chance yet to look into how this affects our options for intimacy... if he has HSV1 if we're basically ok? If he has HSV2 then I could probably still give him 1 and he give me 2? But not sure of the stats and likelihood as I read somewhere that since I now know I have some antibodies my body could help fight against this... so chances of getting HSV2 would be really low. However, I will go research more on this. Was just wondering what your thoughts and experience is on this please?

@WCSDander2010 Thank you. Ok yes very helpful.

@fitgirl Thank you so much also for your input. I am truly thankful that he has disclosed for sure as now we can try to be as safe as possible going into this. I am definitely going to talk to him about going onto the anti-virals. If we work long-term then we can discuss to make changes. One question from what you said - "Taking precautions to protect you during shedding is actually going to make your risk very low" - since there is no way of knowing when he is shedding... do you mean the use of condoms at all times (initially in the relationship anyway)? or another way in between outbreaks that can reduce risk that I maybe don't know of? (other than anti-virals). thank you

Thank you

I just thought of something... if maybe you know please? If the results come back and give a positive to either HSV1 or HSV2 - how will I know if say its HSV2 - how do I know if I have genital HSV2 or oral HSV2? Do you know if the blood test should stipulate this too?

Thanks again... yes I agree totally. I realize there's always going to be that risk and yes thats exactly it.... due to this relationship being early days is why I am most fearful. I want to take all necessary precautions for in case we don't work out. But eventually in time if we are solid etc then I wouldn't care as much. And it has been wonderful getting to really know each other first and taking it slow on the sexual side of things. I am eager to know my results and eager to get him to go and get his type tested. This will already clarify options. Thank you so much and will chat back again also when I know more. hugs

Thank you so much for your feedback. Firstly, I didn't realize that the shedding was not directly from where he actually usually gets the outbreaks. So basically the entire genital area is at risk all the time? But before I get totally defeatist about it... I will hang on to hear my results. And speak with him to get his tested for the type. He is somewhat willing to go onto antivirals...cost would be an issue - I have not investigated this at all. And also the fact of side effects etc of being on it 'forever' - I am not sure how this could damage his health in other areas like liver etc.

Hi, I met an awesome guy a couple of months ago. Then 2 weeks ago he told me that the has genital HSV.(not sure if it is 1 or 2). We have had no sexual intercourse, no sexual relations at all yet. So I am trying to find out how best to protect myself from getting HSV. I've gone to have blood tests done on myself to find out if I maybe already have 1 or 2 - eventhough I have never had any reason or symptoms to think that I do. I await these results. I have read up on HSV since finding this out - so during active outbreaks - we would abstain. But I am more worried about the shedding in between outbreaks. He tends to get small sores on two areas on his penis he says - so a condom would protect me from this area. But then he also gets a sore above his penis, in his pubic hairline area. I am wondering if liquid bandaid applied over this area (not during outbreaks) would protect me from shedding? Or perhaps liquid latex? (since condoms are latex... would liquid latex applied to that area provide the same kind of protection?) Or anything else that could be put over that small area just to minimize the risk of contracting it from that area in case it is shedding? Also, if I play with him (with my hand) and it touches that area above his penis - is this pretty safe?