Reply To: Small cluster forming but never full outbreak – avoid having sex?

[Richmond92]

Thanks for your response, Terri.

Correct, I have HSV 2 (diagnosed a few years ago) and I told my girlfriend about this when we started dating. She has not tested herself to check her status.

Could you just clarify your last sentence in your first paragragh.”WE know that people give off virus when they do and when they don’t have an outbreak and we can’t know when that is.”. Are you referring to viral shedding could occur even without outbreaks?

I believe numerous health organizations recommend one to abstain from sexual intercourse for 7 days after an outbreak has healed. This since you are actively shedding the virus and hence why I am asking if I should abstain as I really didn’t have a “proper” outbreak. However, I am still concerned I could be shedding the virus given that I had a small cluster forming.

Another way to phrase the question perhaps; given what I am describing above, am I (at a higher risk of) shedding the virues at the moment. I will avoid having intercourse with my girlfriend for now if the answer is yes.

Thanks!