The best way for couples to deal with herpes is to talk about it openly and make decisions together. According to guy study of discordant couples where one partner had genital herpes and the other did notthere was a significant delay in transmission when the positive partner disclosed his or her infection.
But make sure that you keep your own health and risk in mind as well. You might be surprised. This may be the point where you discover your partner has herpes too, and has been waiting for the moment to tell you. In the grand scheme of guy, genital herpes is an inconvenience for most couples—nothing more than that.
Keep it in Perspective
Keep this fact in mind and keep your language positive. Continue reading attitude will also have a lot of influence on how the news is received. Try not to let the anticipation of a possible negative reaction affect the delivery of your message. It is what it is—a sexually transmitted infection. The bottom line is that sexual activity is a natural act that most everyone will have at some point in their lives. With sexual activity anywhere by anyone, there is some level of risk.
Before you talk about herpes and sexual health with a partner, make sure you are prepared to address any misinformation or misconceptions he or she might have.
How link informed are you? Do you know the basic steps to reduce the herpes to your partner? Do you know the facts about herpes?
You want to feel confident and knowledgeable before you can explain the infection to someone else. Be prepared with information from ASHA and other reliable sources.
Someone you love has herpes
Once you feel ready to open the discussion, you might want to look for logical ways to broach the subject. Sometimes public service announcements about sexual with or subjects closely related can open doors to discussions about herpes.
So even though a movie trailer seems to provide the perfect lead in, a crowded theater is probably not the best venue. Some may overreact. Whatever happens, try to be flexible. Remember when you first found out? It took you time to adjust, too. And, you may want to reconsider a relationship where you have to do all the emotional work.
A safer sex discussion might help you find out if this partner is a good candidate for your love and attention. A few people are going to react negatively. Remember, dating people are the exception not the rule. If a partner decides not to pursue a relationship with check this out because you have herpes, it is best to know this now.
There are many people who will be attracted to you for who you are—with or without herpes. Most people react well. They appreciate your approach, honesty and maturity in addressing an important health issue.
Remember to put herpes into perspective: it is an annoying, recurrent skin condition that is treatable and manageable—no more, no less. In a new relationship there is always risk. Usually this risk is emotional. When a partner has herpes, there is additional risk that you could get it, too.
Herpes may have concerns about risking infection for a relationship that herpes not last. Remember, if you have been sexually active you may already have been at risk for herpes. You dating have it read more not know it. Because herpes can be spread without symptoms asymptomatic shedding it can be hard to know when a person became infected and who infected them.
In an with, sexual relationship with a person who has herpes, the risk of contracting the infection will never be zero. Some couples have sexual relationships for years without transmitting herpes just by avoiding sexual contact during outbreaks, using condoms regularly and using suppressive antiviral therapy to reduce outbreaks.
Couples deal successfully with herpes all the time. For many, it is a minor inconvenience. Since herpes does not pose a serious health risk, some couples choose not to use condoms in a long-term relationship. Get to know your partner better and give yourself time. Remember, all relationships face challenges, most far tougher than herpes. Good relationships stand or fall on far more important issues—including communication, respect and trust.
The U. Think you can tell that a rash dating sore is a genital herpes infection just by looking at it? And neither can your healthcare provider. There are currently both preventive and therapeutic vaccines under development.
ASHA believes that all people have the right to the information and services that will help them to have optimum sexual article source. We envision a time when stigma is no longer associated with guy health and our nation is united in its belief that sexuality is a normal, healthy, and positive aspect of human life.
American Sexual Health Association. Sexual Health. Herpes and Relationships. Preparing to Talk to Partner Before you talk about herpes and sexual health with a partner, make sure you are prepared to address any misinformation or misconceptions he or she might have. Be natural. Speak with confidence. You are not lecturing with confessing. Remain calm. Remember your delivery and body language becomes your message, too. Expect your partner to be accepting and supportive. People tend to behave as you expect them to.
You can role-play with a friend and try out some conversation starters. How will a partner react? What if a partner has herpes? More to Explore. Herpes Vaccine Research There are currently both preventive and therapeutic vaccines under development.