[Question #8217] HSV2 condom transmission effectiveness for gay men
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47 months ago
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Hi there,
My question is about the effectiveness of condoms. I've heard different percentages. My scenario is... I'm a gay man with HSV2. Original outbreak on shaft of penis. What is the % effectiveness of a condom for preventing transmission if I am the top to someone who does not have HSV? And vice versa if I am the bottom. I thought I heard 96% effective for two men.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
47 months ago
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We have data only on same sex couples but I think it is reasonable to extrapolate that data to anal intercourse as well. And the number you state is correct: 96% protection against transmission!
Terri
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47 months ago
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Here's a more detailed description regarding oral sex and the risk of transmission.... Scenario is two men. One has HSV2 original outbreak on shaft of penis. If the non-infected partner gives the HSV2+ partner a hand job for a good amount of time and also performs oral sex.... would that create a risky situation for transmission? I'm thinking the manual stimulation and using spit as lube would potentially cause small abrasions on the HSV2+ partner's penis which could transmit the virus to the other person. Or is this still low risk because of HSV2 site preference?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
47 months ago
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The hand job is not a risk. You say one has HSV 2 original outbreak on the shaft of the penis - I can't tell if you mean that it is still there or not? If it is still there, then giving oral sex when a lesion is present likely presents some risk, yes. If the lesion is gone, the risk is lowered somewhat. And yes, it is rare for HSV 2 to show up on the mouth but it is possible and I have seen it, but normally in conjunction with a new genital outbreak as well.
Terri
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47 months ago
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Hi Terri,
Just to clarify in this scenario there is no outbreak present. I was just specifying that when the original outbreak did occur, it was on the shaft.
When you say it is rare for HSV 2 to show up on the mouth, but normally in conjunction with a new genital outbreak as well.... Do you mean someone gets oral HSV2 and genital HSV at the same time? Why is it normally simultaneous?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
47 months ago
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Yes, that is what I meant. The situation would be that someone has intercourse with and gives oral sex to that person at the same encounter.
Terri
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