Question:
I had really good feedback form ppl on this forum but...

My partner has HVS2 , it?s on her anal/rectal area.
She?s on 250mg (half a pill/day) of Valtrex. I have
bean all over the net doing research for days about
the transmission to a non- HVS partner.

I have heard a lot off ?doom and gloom? scenarios.
There are also a lot of numbers floating around that I
noticed most people dismiss and ignore. For example
the New England Journal of Medicine study last January
about Valtrex reducing the risk by 48% to about 2%
possibility of contraction.

Also, the use of a condom, some say that it is useless
because during sex it is possible for infected area to
touch the top part of the penis/abdomen where the
condom does not cover. This in small way contradicts other
information that I found stating 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?other than membranes.

I take in to account that people that do not have
problems do not surf the net and post on forums regarding HVS

This is a lot of information for me to decipher, the
more I read about it, on medical sites and news
groups, the more confused I get. I am HVS negative
(type 1 and 2) my partner has HVS 2 as noted before.

What are my chances of getting infected while having
protected sex and she taking valtrex? Is it a high
risk situation? Am I taking too big of a risk? I am
aware of the virus shading 5% in a year and it is not
visible most of the time. I am really confused and
scared about my chances of getting infected. Please,
help? any input is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Answer:
Jean -

just replied elsewhere, but wanted to add....if she didn't have Herpes - how do you feel about her?

if you love her - think about what is more important - a risk no higher than getting hit by a bus (protected "smart" sex assumed) or not being with her at all. She is still the same person - only she gets coldsores in a really sucky spot!! If she had a coldsore on her lip would you be here? or just at the drugstore getting her blistex? Same virus, same risk...

Love the girl - hate the Herpes - don't leave her because of the Herpes - and don't stay if you don't love her. But if you leave her - make it clear why - it's either you don't love her - or you can't handle the Herpes. Don't make her feel like a leper.

I love you for taking the time to want to know - no matter what your decision.

Good luck Jean.

Answer:
Hi Lasmom,

This is NOT an issue for me at all, just a worry...emotionally, we're not there yet but it's a matter of time. We are not planning to go beyond girlfriend / boyfriend stage (marriage is not in our future)...i care a lot for her, can't stand to see her unhappy :cry:

I would be happy to have non-sexual relationship, but it will not make her feel any better about herself and that would be unfair.

Defiantly, this is no reason for a breakup, I?m there for the best and worst.