[Question #3114] What are my chances of getting herpes?

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92 months ago
A prospective partner has told me he has herpes. I know that lots of people have it, that it's not life-threatening, and that the chances of me getting herpes from him can be mitigated by using condoms and by him taking medication. I also know that even with condoms and medication, there is still SOME risk of my getting herpes. He hasn't had an outbreak in several years; he's been taking the medication for less than a week (he has not been sexually active recently); we haven't had sex yet but have fooled around.

I really don't want to get herpes. 

So my question is: Do you have any statistics about transmission of the virus when using condoms and medication and obviously not having sex during an outbreak? I'm probably going to sleep with him, but I'd also like to enjoy it, and some sort of statistics would help ease my mind. Thank you for sharing your expertise.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
92 months ago
Good afternoon,
So it's good you have some basic understanding about herpes - clearly you've been doing some reading and you are fortune to have a partner who knows that he has herpes so he can deal with it AND has told you. 
If you don't have sex with outbreaks, you have sex about twice per week, he take daily antiviral medicine and he uses condoms, there is about a 2% chance that he will transit this virus to you in year's period. 
Does that help?

Terri
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92 months ago
That's exactly the kind of information I was looking for. Thanks so much for the swift response. :)
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
92 months ago
You are most welcome

Terri
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