[wantingtobesafe]

Hi Terri,

We have received the specific antibody test results: HSVI=5; HSVII=5….interesting that they are both the same?

My additional ?’s:
1)Since he tested + for type 1(but never had a cold sore), what are the risks associated with him performing oral sex on me? Is HSV 1 only transmittable with an open sore? I am hoping that this is the case. I feel no reservations kissing him since he has never had an outbreak and most of the population is + for this. Does the level 5 mean anything?

2) He was taking 400mg acyclovir daily(after initial 5/dayx1week) since Nov, 2014, when his initial outbreak occurred(not swabbed but pcp put him on after saying herpes outbreak and had prior +hsv combined serology). He has not had an additional outbreak but it has only been 7 months. Since testing he has switched to valtrex 500mg 2x/day-one in the am and one in the afternoon. Is there a better option?

3)My main concern is that his outbreak was at the base of his penis and the condom rides up and that area may come in contact with my genitals. We have thought about using rings of some sort to keep it in place better. Do you have any thoughts/suggestions on ways to make penetrative sex safer? What about female condoms? Would they have better coverage? I have never used them but have read that they cover the vulva which may decrease risk? And even if we are able to keep the area of outbreak covered, couldn’t the virus be shedding from other parts of his genitals? And shedding tends to decrease the longer you have the virus? I have minimal concern regarding giving him oral sex as we use a condom and I can keep it in place myself/control where my mouth goes. From what I have read on this forum, you don’t have concern with hand jobs as long as I don’t touch myself on my genitals after? And he can do the same for me as long as he doesn’t touch his genitals before?

4) Does the hsv II serum level 5 tell you anything? Does a lower # mean less likelihood of transmission? Do hsv2 neg partners of HSV2 + ever take the antivirals to prevent transmission?

Thank you for your time!

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