Everything you need to know about dating someone with herpes

Is it safe to date someone with herpes?

After herpes diagnosis, people may worry about being judged. They may be scared they could spread herpes to their partners. They may simply be terrified about how they are going to face the world. Fortunately, it turns out that most of the time dating with herpes isnt nearly as scary as worrying about it. Heres why.

Should you tell your partner that you have herpes?

Telling a partner or potential partner that you have herpes can be nerve-wracking, but it’s best to do early on so you can weed out people who have a problem with it, says Stephen Snyder, M.D., sex therapist and author of Love Worth Making: How to Have Ridiculously Great Sex in a Long-Lasting Relationship.

Can I still have sex if I have herpes?

Sure, you’ll need to make a few changes going forward, including telling potential partners about your diagnosis before getting busy and learning to recognize signs of an outbreak. But you can absolutely continue dating and engaging in sexual activity. There are two types of the herpes simplex virus (HSV), HSV-1 and HSV-2.

What is it like dating as a black woman with herpes?

To offer insight into what it’s like navigating sex and dating as a Black woman with herpes, four ladies volunteered to share their stories. Dating is hard. In the dating world, Black women are often made to feel like they aren’t good enough and not worthy of actual healthy, loving and meaningful relationships.