HSV2

[Lilo]

Hi Terri,

A few months ago, I began dating a new partner who disclosed his positive HSV2 status to me. He disclosed before a sexual relationship begun. Since we started dating, he decided to take daily antivirals to further protect me against acquiring HSV2.

Since then we have had mostly protected sex and on 2 encounters we had unprotected sex. The unprotected sex happened a month after he had been taking the daily antivirals. I have tried my best to do as much research about HSV2 as possible and learn all that I can about it but I still find myself feeling anxious from time to time. I really like this person and besides this concern, they are such a positive influence.

I am concerned about the encounters were we did not use a condom, what is the probability of getting HSV2 when a condom is not used? My partner monitors his health closely and told me he has not had an outbreak in a long time and has had no symptoms of a pending outbreak and additionally has been taking the antivirals daily.

[Terri Warren]

Two sexual encounters without condoms doesn’t present a huge risk, especially since you aren’t reporting any symptoms and because he is on antiviral medication.
Condoms reduce transmission from men to women by 96% so they are very effective indeed.
I presume that you have been tested to know that you are not already infected, is that correct?

Terri

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