HERPES

Just Found Out Future Husband has Herpes

Dear Dr. Tom:

I recently found out that the man that I will be getting married to just found out this morning that he has herpes. Should I contact my doctor at once, I’m due for a pap smear in Sept, do I wait till then, or call today? I would appreciate any input regarding this matter. Thank you so much for having a site that I was able to go to for information.
cb…..

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Dr. Tom’s Response:

Dear cb….:

Learning that your future lifelong partner has herpes is not an enormous problem, but for your sake let me raise some warning flags: Do not wait for medical attention. Consult your doctor soon about this situation and obtain your smear result. Genital herpes is associated with human papilloma virus infections which can be adjunctive toward future cervical cancer. Possible future parenthood presents some problems to a herpes infected mother and her child. A pap smear will likely add helpful information. The bit about your future husband just finding out he has herpes puzzles me. Perhaps he has either had it awhile unknowingly, or now decided to tell you, or has contracted it recently. Each of you will, epidemiologically speaking, be having sex with every other partner each of you has had previously.

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