Question:
I've read that:
"The herpes virus has to actually enter the body of another person through a broken area of the skin. The virus will not enter through intact skin."
from herpes.org

I'm confused when people say that condoms are useless when female has HVS 2 and has the infection not on the viganal area.

some clarification please.

Thanks

Answer:
[quote="jean"]I've read that:
"The herpes virus has to actually enter the body of another person through a broken area of the skin. The virus will not enter through intact skin."
from herpes.org



Yeah - they forgot to add "membrane" areas - eyes, genitals, moth, lips - any area that will stay wet to keep the virus living. Chances are extremely slim to get it on, say, the middle of your arm ... oxygen, soap & water would kill it before it could duplicate anywhere - it can't survive in a dry, oxygenated environment.

I'm confused when people say that condoms are useless when female has HVS 2 and has the infection not on the viganal area. Or if the male has an infection higher than the condom. A woman can have an infectionon the outside or "lips" during sex it is possible for this area to touch the top part of the penis/abdomen where the condom isn't - true also you could touch your partner - get the virus on your fingers, then infect yourself say, putting on the condom... percentages are low but any possibility is still a possibility.

Answer:
Thanks Lasmom,

One more thing, the part of the penis/abdomen where the condom does not cover, it is not an open/broken area that the virus can't get through in to your body.

I'm i wrong in assuming this?

Answer:
I think any abrasion or stress to the skin makes it possible, more possible that is... the skin on the penis is obviously not the same as on the abdomen - but very close in proximity - I wouldn't want to take the chance of exposing the abdomen and by some way it transferring down to the more suseptable skin on the penis...

Bottom line - take all the precautions you can to protect your partner - that means using your head too - avoiding sex just before, during and after outbreaks the best you can... finding alternatives...

I luckily don't have HSV orally - so I have options :wink: My boyfriend NEVER complained about that!!

Be smart, be careful but most of all be happy - enjoy each other...

Answer:
Thanks again Lasmom,

You gave me a really good inside on the matter, i really appreciate that.
I don't have HVS but my partner does (she's on valtrex 250mg and it on the rectal/anal area...her doctor says it's not an severe case :roll: ). I just want to know what i can to protect my self before preceding being intimate.


Thanks

Answer:
Ah - I see - my boyfriend of over a year is negative although we have unprotected sex (which I do not recommend!!) I call it "smart sex" I just posted somewhere else about leaving the panties on when I wasn't feeling great ... I have problems with condoms - so we agreed to not use them - HIS decision HIS risk - we use a lubricant to avoid aggrevating the skin - clean up afterward (take alot of showers together :D)

And I'll tell you something which I've told before - the fact that he still loved & wanted me physically- especially on the days I felt crappy - was SUCH a turn on - he would offer to give me a back rub, cuddle & watch a movie to get my mind off of it.... made me nuts - never got through a movie - to be blunt - I got in the habit of spoiling him orally - and altough many girls don't enjoy that - there is something sexy about being in control and pleasuring your man - as a reward for acceptance if you will.... I told him one day I felt like I may have an outbreak coming.... we were at the grocery store - he got excited and had to hit the frozen food section!!!

SO you see - it's all what you make of it - good luck - hope you find your way!!!

And thanks for asking questions - shows you care for her - refreshing!

Answer:
p.s.- if you have time - let us know how she told you - what went through your head - alot of people are afraid to tell their partners - it may help to hear from the other side!!

Answer:
Hi Lasmom,

There was a small problem when she told me. She only told me about it because she thought i would wonder about the pills she was taking. She thought that the location of her infection, having no OB and Valtrex eliminates the infection. That's was alright with me, she did not know much about it then and her doctor did not tell her much :x

She's a bit more worried about it now because she knows a bit more.
It's quite alright , i was just glad she told me about it.

My first reaction, honestly, was; thank god we have not done it yet.
Then i really started to worry about her, she was very nervous and uncomfortable, thought i would think less of her...it was not so?but I was a bit disappointed.

She went through had times, made mistakes in the past that she regrets.

It took a while for me to get used to the idea. I did not make a big deal out of it, there was no reason to?it?s a sickness nothing more.

It faded quickly because i stopped thinking about my self and thinking about her as a person. After a while it made our relationship stronger and closer.

Though, I?m a bit scared now when we get to the more intimate stage?don?t want to play Russian Rolette?I guess we just need to be smart about it.

Answer:
thanks for that Jean.