Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Genital herpes is usually transmitted by having sex (vaginal, anal or oral) with an infected person. E
All great info Elained10. But I wanted to clear something up. Both types can be found anywhere on your body. Just because it's down there, doesn't mean it's genital herpes and just because it's on your lips as cold sores, doesn't mean it's not.
Therefore, genital herpes, can be transmitted in anyway. Even if say, I put ointment on my breakout, down there, then wiped my dirty hands on a moist towel and you use it soon after and have an open sore somewhere on your hands, yes, you can get it.
With that, to the OP, you are not limited to only people with herpes, but maybe being that upfront is a bad thing. I would tell someone only if I plan on having sex with them...depending on where your outbreaks are.
If they're on your mouth, I'd tell them before you kiss as who knows if you're shedding and can transmit it. If it's on your genital area, well, tell them before anything happens near that area and let them decide. Some people who understand the virus, may not care as much as those who don't know anything about it. Obviously, some people have very good reasons not to even go there with you, but that is life.
I have genital herpes, but it's on my hand. I know a nurse who has it on her fingers too (they call it herpes whitlock). I read that's common for nurses. But what's funny is that my gyno, that she worked for, was adamant that genital herpes is ONLY found on the genitals. That's not what I was told by the dermatologist that diagnosed me. Scary, right? Misinformation from a well-respected middle-aged woman gyno doctor.
Anyhow. I was with my XH for 10 years. In the beginning, I had outbreaks, I kept my hand covered and away from him when we were intimate. I also used towels that no one else was allowed to use. My gf has herpes down there and has had outbreaks and has never given it to her husband in the past 10 years. Oh, and my XH never got it either. So, if you're careful, know what to look out for, the signs that you're going to have an outbreak, take meds, etc, and the person is okay with all that, then you can have a great sex life.
I figure if a guy doesn't want to be involved with me because of that, well, that sucks, but it's his decision. Just like I choose not to date men with kids, even if they're not in their lives. You limit your pool, yes, but that doesn't mean you'll never find someone who'll accept you.
I had a good friend that I arranged a blind date for with someone that had herpes. I didn't know it at the time until she came to me quite upset. She had fallen in love with him and they were on the verge of taking it to the next level. She knew that she had to tell him before their relationship became physical and she was worried that he would end it when he found out like many other of her other new potential mates had. It was fortunate that he had fallen in love with her as well. They eventually married. I think timing is the key when telling someone. I see no reason to tell someone you have herpes on the first date. Let them get to know you first. I'm sure there's more to you then a virus. I'm glad you're being responsible about it, and I hope you find someone special again.
All great info Elained10. But I wanted to clear something up. Both types can be found anywhere on your body. Just because it's down there, doesn't mean it's genital herpes and just because it's on your lips as cold sores, doesn't mean it's not.
Therefore, genital herpes, can be transmitted in anyway. Even if say, I put ointment on my breakout, down there, then wiped my dirty hands on a moist towel and you use it soon after and have an open sore somewhere on your hands, yes, you can get it.
I was recently working in a hospital as a student nurse and a patient had herpes they were pretty severe it was a wee shame for him, he's was in agony as it was in his mouth and his genitals. We had to call infection control to check him and get more info on the condition and we were informed by the specialist that we would not catch it unless we had sexual contact with him. So with all respect i disagree with you about being able to catch it from using the towel.
I was recently working in a hospital as a student nurse and a patient had herpes they were pretty severe it was a wee shame for him, he's was in agony as it was in his mouth and his genitals. We had to call infection control to check him and get more info on the condition and we were informed by the specialist that we would not catch it unless we had sexual contact with him. So with all respect i disagree with you about being able to catch it from using the towel.
Was it an older person? A friend of mines grandmother was said to have sores and skin conditions that he said was herpes related amongst other age related issues. I believe with age a persons body can't fight off infections and in this case it was the Herpes virus.
I was recently working in a hospital as a student nurse and a patient had herpes they were pretty severe it was a wee shame for him, he's was in agony as it was in his mouth and his genitals. We had to call infection control to check him and get more info on the condition and we were informed by the specialist that we would not catch it unless we had sexual contact with him. So with all respect i disagree with you about being able to catch it from using the towel.
So you're telling me that you'd happily touch this man with ungloved hands? Even if all you're doing us using a tongue depressor in his mouth? Because that is not "sexual contact".
See, what I dislike is doctors saying it can only be transmitted by "sexual contact". Define that. Most people would assume exchange of fliuids. However, if you touched this man, bare handed, you could get it on your hands even if it wasn't sexual contact.
That's the whole myth I'm trying to show people. You can get herpes from someone without sexual contact. I dunno. But when all the stuff I read said NOT to share towels because you can transmit the virus, I choose to take precautions. That included the dermatology specialist. He was on call that evening and they grabbed him cuz they didn't know if they had some infectious disease on their hands.
Just my two cents. Feel free to play roulette. I've already got the virus, but I don't want it near my face or genitals.
Was it an older person? A friend of mines grandmother was said to have sores and skin conditions that he said was herpes related amongst other age related issues. I believe with age a persons body can't fight off infections and in this case it was the Herpes virus.
The man was only 38 and his wife I think was a bit younger, they were both spoken too separately asking if either had been unfaithful but both were adamant that they hadn't been. The wife was being treated by her local GP for a "cold sore" aparently and then had passed it to the guys genitails and his mouth etc. when in hospital tests were done and it was confirmed to be herpes. The guy was a mess he couldn't eat and could hardly speak.
So you're telling me that you'd happily touch this man with ungloved hands? Even if all you're doing us using a tongue depressor in his mouth? Because that is not "sexual contact".
See, what I dislike is doctors saying it can only be transmitted by "sexual contact". Define that. Most people would assume exchange of fliuids. However, if you touched this man, bare handed, you could get it on your hands even if it wasn't sexual contact.
That's the whole myth I'm trying to show people. You can get herpes from someone without sexual contact. I dunno. But when all the stuff I read said NOT to share towels because you can transmit the virus, I choose to take precautions. That included the dermatology specialist. He was on call that evening and they grabbed him cuz they didn't know if they had some infectious disease on their hands.
Just my two cents. Feel free to play roulette. I've already got the virus, but I don't want it near my face or genitals.
We aren't allowed to touch any patient without gloves and hanged hygiene is extremely important before and after touching anyone even with gloves on. So no I did not touch that patient nor would I touch any patient without protective equipment as I have a young son and would not like to catch anything and pass it to him nor would I like to pass anything to another patient just because I was lazy and could not follow protocol.
From what I've learned from specialist and by treating that patient I personally believe you can't catch herpes unless you swap bodily fluids, drink from the same cup, use the same cutlery, or have sexual contact etc etc.
Well, it's out there now. I caught herpes from my wife. When I said "til death do you part" i expected that it would be as such, and if I contracted it from her, it wouldn't have made a difference. So now it is what it is.
To be honest, I feel like a leper now.
Any other suggestions?
Come on Grumpy, you aren't REALLY going to let this get you down are you??
Knowledge is power my friend, go out and gain some
90% of Americans have Herpes 1 (above the belt)
1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men have Herpes 2 (below the belt)
The vast majority of those who have it live very normal lives.
A person who tests positive for HSV2 may never even ever have an outbreak, or if they have one it's the only one they have for years and years.
There is just no reason to feel like a "leper" - stop the victim mentality!
Like I said, do your research and you'll feel much better about the situation
Come on Grumpy, you aren't REALLY going to let this get you down are you??
Knowledge is power my friend, go out and gain some
90% of Americans have Herpes 1 (above the belt)
1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men have Herpes 2 (below the belt)
The vast majority of those who have it live very normal lives.
A person who tests positive for HSV2 may never even ever have an outbreak, or if they have one it's the only one they have for years and years.
There is just no reason to feel like a "leper" - stop the victim mentality!
Like I said, do your research and you'll feel much better about the situation
IMO, lovesMountains, you are the Mother Teresa of this forum.
I have read a lot more about it in the past few days. There does seem to be some conflicting information, but I do feel less "leper-ly" than I did a few days ago.
I appreciate everyone's support and on topic input here. I'm not going to let it define as some one stated earlier, but I still a little gun shy, no pun intended. Things will just have to be taken at a much slower pace than I am accustomed to. Since that terrain is not as familiar, I also need to learn to be patient with myself and expect some stumbles here and there.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
