Both partners herpes positive, next steps???

[eimajk1]

I posted several months ago, I had a positive HSV 1&2 test, still have not had symptoms of either. My past history doesn't rule anything out though. I recently started dating someone, and we had "the talk." My first one, and it went very well! He is also HSV 2 positive, 8 years without an outbreak. I still have yet to have an outbreak, just tested positive. Just wondering what we should do going forward? We have both tested negative for anything else, and pregnancy is not an option for either of us. If we are both HSV 2 positive, are we okay to proceed without condoms?

[RegularGuy]

This is the kind of thing you each should keep communication open about, and understand that either of your levels of comfort with certain acts can change day to day.

There is a possibility of sex triggering outbreaks.

There is also still risk of spreading the virus to previously unaffected areas through skin to skin contact.

[Jack101]

If you have never had a outbreak and tested positive by the ELISA herpes test, you should get a Western blot test. The number of false positive results is not insignficant. In addition, the CDC will soon be recommending that anyone with a positive test and no outbreak have a Western Blot test to confirm.

[New2GH]

@Jack101

 

Do you know if that upcoming CDC recommendation (to obtain a WB when no outbreaks occur) be applicable to both HSV types or just type 2?

[Jack101]

It is just type 2.  Over half of the population of the world is infected with HSV-1 and the vast majority are oral.  As such, most will have no outbreaks.