I caught genital herpes when I was three years old from my father. I have not had an outbreak since I was about 7 or 8 years old. I am now in my early thirties. My boyfriend is concerned that he will catch it from me. I haven't had any sexual partners that I know of catch herpes after sleeping with me. A doctor told me once that because I got it so young that I probably won't have any more out breaks. Is this true? Does this mean that I can't pass it on to my boyfriend? I'm not sure what to tell him, he is convinced that he will catch it from me if we sleep together.
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Q: Are herpes carried into adulthood if caught at age of 3?
Answers (2)
10/26/08 7:03am
You will have the herpes virus in your body for life, however, you may never have another outbreak. Outbreaks normally lesson in frequency and severity with time so it is quite possible that you will not exeprience any symtoms in the future. However, you will still have the virus in your body, may shed viral particles asymtomatically (without showing any symtoms), and could pass the virus on to another person.
You can take steps to reduce the risk of passing on the virus - using protection and taking antiviral medication, however, there is nothing at this time which can offer 100% protection from passing it on.
Read up on the virus and the risks of transmission and share that information with your boyfriend. Discuss it together and agree on the strategies you wish to use to reduce the risks and take it from there.
Jeannie May
Herpes Awareness Campaigner & Peer Support Provider
6/13/08 7:28pm
Every article on Herpes states that if you contract the virus it is in the body forever. There is no curing this disease. It can hide in the body and not break out. But you still have it. You can pass this virus on to your sexual partners even if you don't have an outbreak.
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By shashan22— Last Modified: 12/27/10, First Published: 06/06/08
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