Dating someone with genital herpes simplex 1

Can I date someone with genital herpes?

Learning you have genital herpes can be devastating. Thats particularly true when your love life is in flux. When someone is first diagnosed, the thought of dating with herpes can fill them with horrible anxiety. They may wonder if they will ever find love again.

Should I tell my partner about HSV-1?

HSV-1 is highly contagious, so if you have a cold sore, its important to mention it to your partner before you kiss or have sexual contact. If you are someone who acquired genital herpes during oral sex, its a good idea to talk to your partner about what happened.

What causes herpes simplex virus (HSV-1)?

They are usually caused by herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). HSV-1 is the cousin of HSV-2, which is primarily associated with genital herpes . However, HSV-1 can also lead to genital herpes during oral sex and HSV-2 can sometimes lead to cold sores. HSV-1 is very common. About 67% of the worlds population under age 50 has HSV-1. 1

How common is genital herpes?

The truth is that herpes is extremely common. Genital herpes affects one in six people ages 14 to 49. 1 Because of how common it is, most people already know one or more people with herpes. They may even have it themselves.

Can you date a girl with herpes?

Dating a girl with herpes will have no effect on your dating life outside of sexual intimacy and sharing of personal items. You should treat a herpes-positive woman just as you would treat any other woman. Take her out on special dates, surprise her with her favorite flowers, and let her know how special she is to you.

How do I know if my partner has herpes?

Find out what kind of herpes your partner has. Ask the girl you are dating if her herpes is HSV-1 (which most often manifests as oral herpes) or HSV-2 (which most often manifests as genital herpes). [3] Knowing which type of herpes virus she has will help you determine what behaviors can lower your risk of disease transmission.

Is genital herpes a big deal?

Third, genital herpes is easy to treat. Modern antiviral medication like valacyclovir can suppress the herpes virus, helping you quickly treat herpes outbreaks, recover faster and reduce your risk of transmitting the virus to other people. In short, you shouldnt think of herpes as a big deal because it isn’t.

Can you re-infect your partner if you have herpes?

If you and the girl you are dating have the same strain of herpes, you cant re-infect one another because you are both carriers. If you have different strains of herpes, you can transmit that infection.