Clarification on transmission

[snflwr]

Hi All!

I was diagnosed about 6 months ago with Genital Herpes. I have actually NEVER had any sort of outbreak. A guy I had sex with a few times informed me he had Herpes...after we had sex. So, I got tested and lo and behold I tested positive for the virus. I exited the dating scene, but now thinking about venturing back into it which means having to share my diagnosis with a potential partner...UGH! I just want to make sure I have all the facts. I know it is likely to be contagious during an outbreak and can also be contagious during viral shedding. I think I read that after 6 months viral shedding occurs between 5%-20% of the time. Soooo, does viral shedding occur less in someone who has never had an outbreak? And how would I know if any shedding is occurring since I haven't had an outbreak? If you have any information that can help make this any easier please let me know. Thanks!

[JBnATL]

Hi, welcome to the 'club'. Don't let this virus limit whom you date. I have given the 'talk' many times and have never been rejected. I have dated many women and never passed it along. When I am dating someone I take acyclovir, lysine and kelp everyday. Taking meds reduces the risk of transmission by 50%.

The longer you have it the less contagious you are. Here is a good post that talks about transmission rates:

http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/messageforum/showthread.php?24334-Transmission-Rates!!-Why-is-everyone-worried

When you are ready to disclose to someone make sure you do it calmly and dont make it a big deal. I always start out by casually asking them if they have ever had a cold sore. No one thinks cold sores are bad things, and it is basically the same virus. Then I say I get cold sores, just not on my mouth. I ask them if they know what causes cold sores and informs them if they do not.

Come to the Chat Room, there you will find many nice fellow Herpsters who can offer you their support.

Good luck!

JB

[Dogwatch]

You say you were "diagnosed" with GH but as you've (a) never had any genital symptoms and ( 80% of adults have hsv orally, how can you be sure that your hsv is in fact "genital" and that the test (presumably a blood test as you had no sores to swab) wasn't simply confirming a long-standing oral infection? Or perhaps a genital infection acquired unknowingly years ago from a previous partner?

Remember that the terms "genital" and "oral" refer only to the part of the body affected - NOT to a specific strain. Because although hsv1 is more "at home" orally and hsv2 prefers the genital region, either strain can occur in the other location.

You may of course have caught GH off this guy. But then again, there's sa good chance you didn't and what you believe to be your recent "genital" infection is in fact an old oral one (or indeed an old genital one) that you've had for years without being aware of it.

Unfortunately, unless you have an outbreak and get it swabbed, you probably won't know for sure either way.