[Question #10889] New Relationship with HSV-2
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18 months ago
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Hello,
I Male,27, do not have HSV-2 but am in the early romantic stages with a partner that does. It does not bother me that my partner has it but I would prefer for myself to not contract it given how early we are in the relationship.
If she is not having an outbreak, I have unprotected sex with this partner and still not contract the disease?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
18 months ago
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People with HSV 2 infection can shed (give off) the virus both when they have symptoms and when they don't. Condoms reduce transmission by 65% from an infected female to an uninfected male. Daily antiviral medication taken by her would reduce the risk of transmission by 48%. So, together, they reduce the risk tremendously. When and if the relationship gets stronger and longer, you may wish to discontinue condom use, and she would take the antiviral medication daily, but that would be a call that the two of you would take together.
Terri
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