HERPES

My Partner Contracted Herpes From Me

Dear Dr. Tom:

I was diagnosed with herpes about 6 months ago. I now have a partner who, unfortunately, contracted the herpes from me. My question is, when either of us has an outbreak, will the other necessarily have an outbreak if protection is not used? Thank you!

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Dr. Tom’s Response:

Dear Anonymous:

Having unprotected sex between two herpes infected persons is not reason for one partner to be triggered into an outbreak when the other is having one – unless, of course, the sexual union is a stressful one. Not likely then perhaps. The risk of unprotected sex lies in the possibility of spreading the virus to other parts of each other’s bodies, somewhat of a mutual auto-inoculation. The risk also lies there, unless each of you have made some determination of your abilities to shed (or not to shed) virus asymptomatically.

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