Saturday, February 11, 2012
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 jaylite asks

Q: Ethical Question about Genital HSV1

I contracted genital HSV1 three years ago through oral sex performed on me by my x-boyfriend who was getting a cold sore.  I have only had that one initial outbreak - no other signs or symptoms in three years. I have heard that with each passing year, the chances of getting another outbreak get slimmer and slimmer as well as the chances of viral shedding.  Additionally, I have heard that passing HSV 1 genitally is rare because that type of virus prefers to live in the upper part of the body (face region) rather than in the genital region, which is presumably why I have yet to have another outbreak.

 

So....do I have really have to tell future partners that I have it?

 

 

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9/30/08 3:45am

Undecidedunfortunatly, yes. There's still that "chance" of spreading. I actually have the same type as you! I think you're the first I've met. It is pretty rare. Just explain that there's like a 1% chance of you spreading it with a condom. Usually when you explain it like it's not a big deal, it's not a big deal to them either. Smile

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