[Question #10694] transmission of genital HSV-2 through grinding cuddling intercourse with condom
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20 months ago
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Hello Friends,
I am a sexually active polyamorous man with several ongoing and one-time sexual partners. I test positive for HSV-1 and negative for HSV-2 (and everything else).
I have started an ongoing relationship with a woman who tests positive for HSV-2 but has never had outbreaks. I know the risk of contacting HSV-2 orally from oral to genital contact is very very low.
We will be using a condom for intercourse, but I have heard that herpes can be transmitted by any skin-to-skin contact in the area where the infected person contracted the virus.
How possible is it for me to be infected by HSV-2 from very close naked cuddling, non-penetrative genital to genital contact, and/or intercourse with a condom when my partner is not having a visible outbreak?
And how long after sexual contact do I need to wait to be tested to find if I have been infected by HSV-2?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
20 months ago
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While herpes can cause recurrences anywhere in the boxer shorts area, the virus is only shed and contagious, when no outbreaks are present, from areas of very think skin, like the labia and penis. So naked cuddling does not present a risk. Genital to genital rubbing while naked presents a small risk as does intercourse with a condom. Condoms reduce transmission from women to men by 65% so not completely effective but very helpful.
If this woman has tested positive by blood antibody IgG test but never had an outbreak, it might be helpful for her to obtain a better confirmatory test as there are lots and lots of false positives on the herpes IgG antibody test - so many that the CDC says not to do them without symptoms suggestive of HSV. She may find she is not infected after all.
You should wait 12 weeks from any concerning encounter to get the most accurate results.
Terri
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20 months ago
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Terri, thank you so much for this info--and buckets of gratitude for the service and support you are offering us all!! Here are my follow-up questions:
1. You suggested my partner take a "better confirmatory test"--which test(s) should she take?
2. Does using "Female condoms" cover more of the vulva and does that offer more protection from transmission than a condom on the penis?
3. If I got HSV-2 while wearing a condom does that mean it would only then be transmissible FROM ME on the parts of me not covered by the condom? Or could it be transmissible from any part of the shaft or head of my penis?
4. Do most people have an outbreak when they first contract HSV-2 or is it more likely they never get one when they are first infected?
5. I have heard that even couples regularly having unprotected intercourse for one full year have only a 3-5% chance of transmitting HSV-2 from an infected partner. Is this true? And so using a condom would lower the chances to about 1-2%?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
20 months ago
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1. The western blot is the best confirmatory test available - it is only done at the University of Washington but any health care provider can order the test and send it to them
2. Probably yes, female condoms MAY be more effective at reducing transmission.
3. No, if you acquire HSV 2, it can be shed from any part of the penis, not just where you contract this.
4. Good question. Since 86% of those infected with HSV 2 don't know it, I would say no, not everyone who contracts HSV gets a recognizable outbreak when they do.
5. that is true from female to male transmission yes, condoms reduce transmission by 65% and daily antivirals by 48%
Terri
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