I do not understand.

I think I may have messed up and was to write here. We just found out my 19 year-old son has HSV1 and HSV2.  We are older. Our information may be outdated. The question is: Do those with genital herpes really use a condom when there are no signs of a break-out?

Yes, the virus can be shed from the genital area even when there are no lesions present so when a person with HSV 2 has intercourse with someone who does not have HSV 2, a condom should be used to reduce the risk of transmission.  And it is important to know what testing was used to diagnose him and be certain they are the correct tests and the results are in a range where confirmatory testing is not necessary.  If you have a question about that, you can ask me here.

Terri
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Ok, thank you for letting us start over. I want to know if people with HSV2 REALLY wear condoms and dental dams. Please don't say "should ." There must be some statistics or anecdotal data on people doing the right thing.

I couldn't tell you exactly how many people actually do use condoms and dental dams.  There may be data about there somewhere but I don't have it, I'm sorry.  And I'm not clear about your purpose in asking this question in the way that you are asking it - can you clarify?

Terri
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I don't believe the careless, impulsive people of today are that conscientious.  (Many exceptions, of course. ) 1st follow -up. My son who has had no outbreak had a 1.48. He just finished 500 mg 2x for 10 days script of Valtrex. Do you think he is low positive and should be tested again (igg)? If so,  when. Thank you.

absolutely!  At 1.48, there is an 85% chance that this is a false positive result.  He needs a herpes western blot.  I would discourage him from taking any future medication right now though.  He can work with his provider on getting the western blot or I can help me with that at westoverheights.com if he would like to contact me there.

Terri
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