Can Genital Herpes Harm Babies Either During Or After Pregnancy
Having genital herpes does not affect your ability to have a baby. Overall, the incidence of neonatal herpes is very rare. However, when it does occur it is potentially very harmful to the baby. It is therefore important to tell your doctor or midwife if you or your partner have had a history of genital herpes. They will then be able to provide information, reassurance and optimal management.
Recurrent episodes of genital herpes during pregnancy are not harmful to the foetus. If you have genital herpes at the time when your baby is due, there is a small risk that the baby could become infected at delivery as it passes down the birth canal. This risk is most substantial for mothers who are having their first ever episode of genital herpes near to or during delivery. However, if you are simply having a recurrence of genital herpes, then the chances of your baby becoming infected with herpes at delivery are low as the baby is protected by antibodies circulating in the mothers blood.
I Dont Want To Be Rejected
Being honest with your partner is part of the process of becoming more wise and more true to ourselves. Even if this one person rejects you at this point in time, this does not make you any less of a person. In fact, you are more gracious and courageous for doing the right thing in a difficult situation.
Set The Tone Of The Conversation
You want to be clear and confident, and you also dont want to talk about your infection as if its a huge problem. Dont use overly negative words and dont open by saying something like, Ive got some terrible news for you, or promise you wont freak out, as this sets the wrong tone and telling someone not to freak out is the best way to actually make them freak out. Start the conversation by saying something like, Ive just had the results of a test and Ive found out I have an infection that causes genital herpes.
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What Are You Saying To Them
Explain that herpes is way more common than people realizeâan estimated 776,000 people in the U.S. get new infections each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nationwide, 45 million people ages 12 and older, or one out of five of the total adolescent and adult population, is infected with HSV-2.
Tell them that 80-90% of people who have genital herpes have NOT been properly diagnosed â and it is possible that they might already have the virus and not know it. And even if they donât have it, odds are very high that many of their previous sexual partners carried the virus for genital herpes, even if they didnât know it and were not showing any symptoms. You might recommend that he/she get tested.
Sleeping with someone who has genital herpes does NOT mean that you are automatically going to get it, too. Most people with genital herpes are shedding the virus only a small percent of the time. Let your partner know the facts about herpes transmission rates.
There are many couples in which one partner has genital herpes and the other partner does not. Although there are no absolute guarantees, but you can take the necessary precautions, the chances of spreading the herpes virus to your partner are reduced. Genital herpes does not mean abstinence from sex or a reduced enjoyment of sex.
Whats The Difference Between Wants And Needs In Dating
Wants are negotiable, needs are not. Wants include things like occupation, intellect, and physical attributes such as height, weight, and hair color. Even if certain traits seem crucially important at first, over time youll often find that youve been needlessly limiting your choices. For example, it may be more important to find someone who is:
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Can I Date With Herpes
The answer is a resounding yes! There are no reasons you should feel like your romantic life is over just because you have herpes. Whether or not you want to or can date people who dont have herpes is going to be something for you to decide, and it is something we will address directly further on in this guide.
The bottom line takeaway from here, though, is that you can 100% date with herpes.
To Tell Or Not To Tell About Genital Herpes Or Cold Sores
It’s natural to be concerned about telling a new partner that you have genital herpes. Fear of being rejected and perhaps being uncomfortable about sexual health concerns makes it a tricky subject to bring up. However, it is more likely that your partner will respect your openness and honesty and it will be an opportunity to take your relationship to a deeper level of trust and understanding.
There are no black and white rules for telling your partner you have herpes, and everyone needs to make their own decisions depending on the situation, but the fact is more people are accepted by new partners than rejected for having genital herpes.
Some people choose not to tell casual partners. They don’t have sex during an outbreak and practice safe sex by using condoms. And this is an OK decision.
In a relationship, “not telling” can cause anxiety and stress affecting your emotional and sexual health.For most people the anxiety over not telling is worse than the telling itself and they find their partners both supportive and understanding. By telling your partner, you are opening up the opportunity to have an honest and shared discussion about other sexual health concerns.
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Worried About That Conversation Practice
Bringing up your infection is never a simple topic of discussion, and its natural to fear rejection. If you are having trouble bringing up the conversation, practice before hand. Talk about what your STI means, what your worries are and what you think of the dating experience with this person so far. If youre on the receiving end of the conversation, be patient and willing to listen this isnt an easy subject to talk about.
And if you do experience rejection, let it roll off your shoulder, Pierce says. There are so many other fish in the sea.
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Join Online Dating Sites
Before you had herpes, you dated like anyone else. Now you are afraid of rejection, the likelihood of spreading it to someone else, and fearsome on telling a potential partner that you are infected. Somewhere out there, someone is going through the same thing and know exactly how you feel, and its totally normal. Theres no better place but herpes dating sites where you can find them and set yourself free!
Joining a trusted site is a surefire way on how to meet people with herpes. You will be welcomed without the added worry of how to tell anyone about your condition. You can easily sign up at these specialized dating sites in the comforts of your own home just by connecting to the internet. Find someone to talk to, a special person to share stories with and laugh amidst a meaningful friendship, and never close your heart to the possibility of entering a long-lasting relationship.
On HerpesDatingSites.com, you will find honest and detailed reviews about some of the most popular herpes dating sites around. We have signed up to these sites, tested out the features, experienced the positives and the negatives, interacted with the users, and looked up everything you need to know about whether or not the site will be beneficial to you. Check the best herpes dating sites for 2020 now!
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How To Tell Someone You Have Herpes: 7 Specific Talking Points
How to Tell Someone You Have Herpes, if you strike up a flirtatious conversation with someone, some people notice that they develop warning signs, The one person youll definitely need to have the chat with is your sexual partner/s, The most common symptom that does present is whats usually referred to as an outbreak., asking for their number may be the key to your disclosure, Finding love can be an exhilarating, These outbreaks are sores or blisters that develop on or around the mouth or genitals.
Any sexually active person can get genital herpes, so being nervous is normal, Many people do not knowI know herpes can sound scary, Many people who have genital herpes dont know it because they never develop symptoms, yet nerve-wracking process, Declares No crisis nofacemask.blogspot.comJan Patek Quilts: Blockheads 3 Block #4janpatek.blogspot.com
Recommended to you based on whats popular FeedbackThe Genital herpes is quite common these days, very, its extremely socially stigmatized, reassuring way.First, Im having a
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Be Upfront Well Before You Have Sex
One of the hardest things about dating with herpes is deciding when to disclose your diagnosis to your partner. Although I generally try not to speak in absolutes, it is always a better idea to do so before you have sex. That way, your partner can make an informed choice about what risks they are and are not comfortable taking.
If you wait to tell your partner that you have herpes until after youve had sex, the revelation may feel like a betrayal. You will have denied them the opportunity to make an informed decision about risk. You may also have implied that your herpes diagnosis is more important than the other things they find attractive about you.
If someone is really interested in you before you tell them you have herpes, they probably will be afterward as well. It just helps to tell them early. That makes it less likely that theyll feel exposed and/or betrayed.
How early? You dont have to do it on the first date. The timing really depends on the people involved. If youre worried about how your partner might react, talk to them about it in a safe place.
You could bring it up over dinner when youre getting near the going home together phase. Or you could have the talk while youre out for a walk, and perhaps a make-out session.
When you do have the talk, its best to be straightforward about it. You have nothing to be ashamed of.
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Can Genital Herpes Be Prevented
The only way to prevent genital herpes and other STDs is abstinence. This means not having sex . If someone decides to have sex, using a latex condom every time can prevent most STDs.
But condoms can’t always prevent the spread of genital herpes. This is because the virus may be in the skin near the genitals .
People also can lower their risk of getting an STD by:
- getting tested with any new partners before having sex
- only having sex with one partner
People who are sexually active should get tested for STDs every year or more often if recommended by their health care provider. To find a testing site near you, visit the CDC’s National HIV and STD Testing Resources.
Learn More About Dating And Sex With Herpes
Genital herpes affects hundreds of millions of people around the world, many of whom have no problems enjoying a normal, fulfilling sex life.
Our complete guide to having sex when you have herpes covers everything you need to know about sexual activity if you have genital herpes, from the most effective antiviral medications to lower your transmission risk to signs and symptoms your partner should be aware of.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standardshere.
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Learn How To Manage Outbreaks
While theres no cure for genital herpes, there is a lot that can be done to reduce the length and severity of outbreaks.
A number of proven medications speed up the healing process and reduce discomfort. Antiviral medications like acyclovir and valacyclovir offer a simple way to control and minimize herpes outbreaks.
Start taking acyclovir as soon as you notice the first signs of an emerging outbreak. This medication stops the herpes virus from growing and spreading during an outbreak, though it cant remove the virus from your body completely. Most people experience relief within just a few days.
Improving lifestyle habits may also prevent future herpes outbreaks:
- Stay rested to support a strong immune system
- Eat nutritious foods to support your bodys innate healing response
- Use the Luminance RED
The Luminance RED nourishes the skin with red light, which is metabolized to accelerate the bodys healing process and to strengthen its defenses against future attacks. Regular use of the Luminance RED not only shortens the healing time of active outbreaks, but can also prevent future outbreaks altogether!
Herpes Dating At Hmeetcom
Hmeet.com isnt your average dating site. Were an online herpes dating site focussing on singles with herpes and other STDs. Were here to help you to meet that special someone, so you can have a happy, and normal life. There are millions of other people in the world living with the H. HSV1, HSV2, and HPV. These people have learned how to manage their diseases and carry on with life. Dont let your STD stop you from finding someone to date, perhaps even someone special to spend your life with.
STDs are only stigmatized because someone said that sexuality is bad. Slowly our perceptions are changing. Sexuality is a healthy and normal part of human life. People have STDs, just like they have any other type of disease. Youll see inspiring stories online about people with other types of auto-immune disorders. You can learn by their stories and get back into life again.
Our herpes dating site will enable you to meet other singles who have herpes too. Eventually, you may wish to try dating people who dont have herpes, but signing up for Hmeet will help you to gain the confidence in getting back to dating again.
When you meet people with herpes, theres none of that awkwardness. Its like youre in your own special club. Hmeet not only makes meeting other singles with STDs easier, but its also cool to not have an hour long discussion about what herpes is.
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What To Say If Your Friend Has Herpes
I have herpes, is one of the last phrases that we expect to hear from our friends. It was likely the last sentence my friends ever thought theyd hear from me. While many of us feel comfortable enough to share the details of our latest sexual encounter, telling our friends that we have an incurable sexually transmitted infection can make us feel like our entire being is up for judgment but that shouldnt be the case.
April is STI Awareness Month, which presents an opportunity for health agencies and organizations to raise awareness about STIs, their impact, and the importance of regular testing. This attention not only creates room for reframing how we talk about sexual health, but also the outdated stigmas associated with STIs.
Society often perpetuates the narrative that only certain types of people are prone to such infections. When and if we ask our potential sexual partners if theyre clean, we may imply that people with STIs are dirty and off limits to affection. The language we use and traditional sex education classes can bolster these stereotypes by showing students photographs of progressed genital infections as a scare tactic, touting abstinence as best, and condoms as a secondary panacea. Of course, safer sex is important, but these classes often ignore what to do should you be diagnosed with an STI especially since these diagnoses are incredibly common.
Emily Depasse is a writer and sexologist.
Tips For Disclosing Via Text
Communication is hard. No matter how strong a relationship is, theres something about being vulnerable that tends to make us stressed and uncertain. If disclosing in person isnt something you think youre ready to tackle, texting is always an option.
While ideally we would be able to have these kinds of discussions in person, its understandably daunting. So know this: Texting your partners that you have herpes does not make you a coward. It does not make you less than someone who chooses to disclose in person. For many, texting is its own type of comfort zone.
“Communication is hard. No matter how strong a relationship is, theres something about being vulnerable that tends to make us stressed and uncertain.”
You might say something like this:
Hey . I really like you and the time weve spent together. Before it becomes something physical, I want to let you know that I have genital herpes . Ive learned that the stigma is more difficult than the infection itself. I understand that you may have some questions and uncertainties, and Im happy to share some resources that have helped me.
One benefit of texting is that you can give your partners links to helpful articles right when you disclose. Here are some other helpful articles you can consider sending them:
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Be Prepared To Offer Information
I totally botched one of my earliest disclosures because I had no idea how to answer my beaus questions about herpes. The virus was still a mystery to me, and when I couldnt explain why condoms werent enough to fully prevent transmission, my potential friend-with-benefits suggested we stick to platonic friendship after all.
Most people know very little about sexually transmitted infections, so its always a good idea to come to the conversation armed with knowledge. Offer to explain how your STI works, and have some statistics about how common it is in your back pocket. Dont bombard your new boo with facts too much information can be overwhelming. But be prepared to answer their questions and calmly admit when something is outside of your expertise. You dont need to know everything, but you should know the essentials, like what forms of protection you can use. You can text them links to trusted resources like Scarleteen or so that they can learn more on their own.