HERPES

Type 2 Outbreak Weaker

Dear Dr. Rob:

I was diagnosed with Type 1 (on genitals) 20 years ago. I never had another outbreak. Around 9 months ago by boyfriend was diagnosed with Type 2. I made the conscious decision to continue to have unprotected sex with him. This was due to the fact that I had herpes already. Now I am reading that these are 2 different things. This weekend we had vaginal, oral and anal sex. The next day he noticed a small bump on is penis. It isn’t sore or pussy but it is in the exact same place as his first outbreak. I am scared to death now that I am going to get type 2 and that it is going to be all over me!! Is this inevitable? And if so, will having Type 1 already make my Type 2 outbreak weaker? 

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Dr. Rob’s Response:

Dear Poster Who Asks About Type 1 and Type 2:

You are correct.  Herpes Type 1 and Herpes Type 2 are different viruses and each can be transmitted sexually. Therefore, if you have Type 1 and he has Type 2 and you are having unprotected sex, it is more than likely than you will both wind up with both Herpes Type 1 and Type 2. In either of these conditions, you may shed virus, even if you don’t have lesions, so unprotected sex is not recommended. 
 

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