Genital herpes question for the experts.

[JRTEX]

If a future partner has anal herpes, Is the area of risk exposure limited to that area? Allowing for safe vaginal or male genital exposure
 

appreciate the insight

[mr_hopp]

Hey there @JRTEX,

That's a good question and it's important to understand the nuances of HSV transmission. If your partner has anal herpes (HSV-2, typically), the virus is primarily located in the area where they have outbreaks, in this case, the anal region. During an active outbreak or during asymptomatic shedding, the virus can be present in the skin cells of that specific area.

So, technically, if only the anal area is affected, the risk of transmission through vaginal or male genital contact is lower compared to contact with the infected area. However, HSV can sometimes be present in other genital areas even without visible symptoms, so there's still a small risk of transmission.

Safe sex practices, like using condoms, can reduce the risk of transmission, but they don't eliminate it completely since HSV is spread through skin-to-skin contact and condoms might not cover all affected areas. 

If your partner is taking antiviral medication, it can significantly lower the risk of transmission by reducing viral shedding, anywhere from 50-80%. See the free facts handouts with the disclosure ebook for more: https://www.herpesopportunity.com/lp/ebook

As always, open communication about health and risks is key in any relationship.

Hope that helps!