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Is Contraceptive Protection Necessary When Partner Has History Of HSV-2 Infection?
Question: 1. My potential lover advised me today that he acquired HSV-2 during his first marriage in 1973. He had a blood test in January 2015 and tested positive for HSV-2. He has been symptom free for 20+ years. Since this is a lifelong disease, and the literature indicates the virus can be shed when one is asymptomatic, does that mean we always need to use condoms?
2. Although I have been in a monogamous relationship (married) for a long time and have no reason to believe that I might also have HSV-2, I will be tested. If I test positive for genital herpes, how will that affect our need to use condoms?
2. Although I have been in a monogamous relationship (married) for a long time and have no reason to believe that I might also have HSV-2, I will be tested. If I test positive for genital herpes, how will that affect our need to use condoms?
Brief Answer:
You need to use condom if you are HSV-2 negative.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
1. Yes. Since your lover has HSV-2 there is every chance of you getting an infection from him. The infection can cause symptoms in you. It is best to use condoms every time or ask your lover to have antiviral therapy on daily basis. Regular condom use can reduce the risk of transmission by around half. The use of daily valacyclovir therapy has also been demonstrated to reduce the risk of transmission by about half. However, even with the best compliance to these recommendations, there are no guarantees and no perfect solutions -- there will always be some degree of risk.
2. If you also test positive for HSV-2 then you need not use any condom as there is no further risk of infection.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal
You need to use condom if you are HSV-2 negative.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
1. Yes. Since your lover has HSV-2 there is every chance of you getting an infection from him. The infection can cause symptoms in you. It is best to use condoms every time or ask your lover to have antiviral therapy on daily basis. Regular condom use can reduce the risk of transmission by around half. The use of daily valacyclovir therapy has also been demonstrated to reduce the risk of transmission by about half. However, even with the best compliance to these recommendations, there are no guarantees and no perfect solutions -- there will always be some degree of risk.
2. If you also test positive for HSV-2 then you need not use any condom as there is no further risk of infection.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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