I'm glad you asked this question. Herpes is one of those things that's pretty badly stigmatized and there's a lot of misinformation surrounding it. I have heard a lot of conflicting things about this viral disease and while I'm generally pretty well-versed in safer sex, herpes is one of the STIs that is a little mysterious to me (especially because there are two forms of it). Hopefully someone here that either personally deals with this STI or through a partner deals with it can shed some light on this.

I have oral herpes (HSV1, most likely). Here are a few things to remember/consider:

Someone who has herpes always has the virus. It is most likely to be transmitted if there is a breakout, and open sores are present. At other times, it is less likely, but still possible, to be transmitted. If sores are present, don't touch the area with any part of your body.

The skin is a wonderful barrier to many of life's bacteria, viruses, etc., but when skin is broken, transmission is much easier. If either of you have cuts or abrasions in areas that would be contacting each other (like if you had a cut near your mouth, giving oral wouldn't be a good idea) avoid contact until you are healed.

It is my understanding that the virus can be spread through saliva and blood, but again, this is most likely to happen if the person with herpes is shedding the virus (i.e. breaking out).

If I feel a tingling on my lip, I refrain from kissing my partner and sharing drinks/foods until it either goes away or is treated if necessary. I try to be careful about touching my lips and then touching my partner if I think I might be breaking out, too.

It's good that you are wanting to get information about this, and I think it would be good, at some point, to talk to the person with genital herpes (if you haven't already) about precautions you would both like to take. This can help both people be on the same page about the risks involved and also relieve some of the anxiety that either partner may feel.

I also have type 1 herpes which is the lesser of the two viruses. 95% of people actually have type 1 herpes which is most commonly oral herpes like (cole sores), but some people also will get 1-2 genital outbreaks in there life which i have had. Luckily if this woman just has type 1 herpes like myself your chances of getting this STI is very low and just as long as you wear a condom and always make sure that she is not having an outbreak you should be fine. If she has type 2 herpes though that is a whole different situation and it is to my understanding that you can catch that wether she is having an outbreak or not.

On a personal note i have been with the same partner for over a year and while i have this STI he does not. We are able to not wear condoms because i am on birth control and he has not gotten this disease. I would really recommend both sitting down and talking about this and also finding out if she has type 1 or type 2 herpes. If she does not know what type she has she can get a simple blood test that will determine the type she has. I hope this info helps and feel free to ask any other questions. When i first found out i had this i was devastated because of how misinformed i was but now that i have the information i do, it is a very livable disease and never interferes with my sex life at all.

1 (919) 361-8488

After some reading I found this number, which is the National Herpes Hotline. I imagine you can call them and ask them all the questions you want (anonymously) and get reliable answers. I'm probably going to call them after lunch because I'd like to know more, actually.

link


The CDC fact sheet on herpes.

Some people shed the virus asymptomatically. Or have it hidden on some place like their cervix.

So many women carry herpes here that we probabley do as many C sections as normal deliveries because of herpes.

Herpes simplex
MedlinePlus Topics
Herpes Simplex
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Herpetic whitlow on the thumb
Herpes simplex - close-up
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Conjunctiva
Encephalitis
Immunodeficiency disorders Herpes simplex is a viral infection that mainly affects the mouth or genital area.

Causes
There are two strains of herpes simplex viruses:

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is usually associated with infections of the lips, mouth, and face. It is the most common herpes simplex virus and many people develop it in childhood. HSV-1 often causes sores (lesions) inside the mouth, such as cold sores (fever blisters), or infection of the eye (especially the conjunctiva and cornea). It can also lead to infection of the lining of the brain (meningoencephalitis). It is transmitted by contact with infected saliva. By adulthood, 30 - 90% of people will have antibodies to HSV-1. The likelihood of childhood infection is higher among those with lower socioeconomic status.
Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) is usually, but not always, sexually transmitted. Symptoms include genital ulcers or sores. However, some people with HSV-2 have no symptoms. Up to 30% of adults in the U.S. have antibodies against HSV-2. Cross-infection of type 1 and 2 viruses may occur from oral-genital contact. That is, you can get genital herpes on your mouth, and oral herpes on your genital area.
A finger infection, called herpetic whitlow, is another form of HSV infection. It usually affects health care providers who are exposed to saliva during procedures. Sometimes, young children also can get the disease.

HSV can infect a fetus and cause abnormalities. A mother who is infected with HSV may transmit the virus to her newborn during vaginal delivery, especially if the mother has an active infection at the time of delivery. However, 60 - 80% of HSV infections acquired by newborns occur in women who do NOT have symptoms of HSV infection or a history of genital HSV infection.

It's possible for the virus to be transmitted even when there are no symptoms or visible sores. Two-thirds of people with genital HSV infection have recurrences of their symptoms, and one-third have three or more recurrences (outbreaks) per year.

HSV is never eliminated from the body, but stays dormant and can reactivate, causing symptoms.

Symptoms
Blisters or ulcers -- most often on the mouth, lips and gums, or genitals
Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin (usually only at the time of the initial infection)
Fever blisters
Fever -- especially during the first episode
Genital lesions -- there may first be a burning or tingling sensation
Mouth sores
Exams and Tests
Many times, doctors can tell whether you have an HSV infection simply by looking at the sores. However, certain tests may be ordered to be sure of the diagnosis. These tests include:

Blood test for antibodies of HSV (serology)
Direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test of cells taken from a lesion
Viral culture of the lesion
Treatment
Some cases are mild and may not need treatment.

People who have severe or prolonged outbreaks (especially if it is the first episode), people with immune system problems, or those with frequent recurrences will benefit from antiviral medications such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex).

People who have frequent or severe recurrences of oral or genital herpes may choose to continue taking antiviral medications to reduce the frequency and severity of recurrences.

Support Groups
Support groups and dating services are available for people with genital herpes.

Outlook (Prognosis)
The oral or genital lesions usually heal on their own in 7 to 10 days. The infection may be more severe and last longer in people who have a condition that weakens the immune system.

Once an infection occurs, the virus spreads to nerve cells and stays in the body for the rest of a person's life. It may come back from time to time and cause symptoms, or flares. Recurrences may be triggered by excess sunlight, fever, stress, acute illness, and medications or conditions that weaken the immune system (such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, or the use of corticosteroids).

Possible Complications
Eczema herpetiform (widespread herpes across the skin)
Encephalitis
Infection of the eye -- keratoconjunctivitis
Infection of the trachea
Meningitis
Pneumonia
Prolonged, severe infection in immunosuppressed individuals
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms that resemble a herpes infection. There are many different conditions that can cause similar lesions (especially in the genital area).

If you have a history of herpes infection and develop similar lesions, tell your health care provider if they do not get better after 7 to 10 days, or if you have a condition that weakens your immune system.

Prevention
Preventing HSV infection is difficult because people can spread the virus even when they don't have any symptoms of an active outbreak.

Avoiding direct contact with an open lesion will lower the risk of infection.

People with genital herpes should avoid sexual contact when they have active lesions. Safer sex behaviors, including the use of condoms, may also lower the risk of infection.

People with active HSV lesions should also avoid contact with newborns, children with eczema, or people with suppressed immune systems, because these groups are at higher risk for more severe disease.

To decrease the risk of infecting newborns, a cesarean delivery (C-section) is recommended for pregnant women who have an active HSV infection at the time of delivery.

References
Whitley RJ. Herpes simplex virus infections. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 397.

Update Date: 5/30/2009
Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.




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from Medline Plus

This is a really good thread so I am just bumping it back to page one so everyone gets a chance to read it!

I'll chime in that the female condom can provide more of a barrier over the vulva than the male condom.

saran wrap makes a wicked good dental damn

Really, we should all conduct ourselves assuming any sexual partner has herpes, until we distinctly know otherwise.

You are Here: Home Page > Communicable Disease > Herpes II (genital herpes)
Herpes II (genital herpes)
Last Reviewed: November 2006

"Herpes II" is also available in Portable Document Format (PDF, 24KB, 2pg.)
Versión en español
What is herpes II?
Herpes II is a sexually transmitted viral infection, which often produces painful sores, usually in the genital area. Once infected, an individual may carry the virus and be subject to recurrent bouts of infection. Some estimate that as many as 20 percent of the adult population in the United States has been exposed to the virus.

Who gets herpes II?
Any person who has intimate sexual contact with an infected person can contract the infection. In addition, herpes II can be spread from an infected mother to her child during birth.

How is herpes II spread?
The herpes II virus is spread during sexual contact with an infected person who is secreting the virus in fluids from lesions or mucous membranes.

What are the symptoms of herpes II?
Typically, the first signs of herpes II is a cluster of blister-like lesions in the genital area (head of penis, labia, anus, cervix) which spread and merge, break and crust over within four to 15 days. The fluid from these itching, painful sores is highly infectious. Other frequent symptoms are painful urination, urethral or vaginal discharge and swollen lymph nodes. The first exposure or primary episode consists of headache, fever, chills and muscular weakness. Recurrent episodes are less severe and are limited to the affected area.

How soon do symptoms appear?
Some studies have shown that from one-half to two-thirds of people infected with the virus will have no symptoms. But, if they appear, local symptoms may be seen from two to 12 days after exposure.

When and for how long is a person able to spread herpes II?
People are most likely to transmit the virus when the lesions are evident. There is evidence, however, that the virus may be shed even when no symptoms of a recurrent episode are present.

Does past infection with herpes II make a person immune?
No. After the initial infection, the herpes II virus becomes dormant within the body. Symptoms may recur with varying frequency and are often associated with stress factors.

What is the treatment for herpes II?
Acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir have been shown to reduce the shedding of herpes II virus, diminish pain and speed the healing of primary herpes lesions. In the oral form, this treatment also appears to shorten the duration of both primary and recurrent episodes.

What can a person or community do to prevent the spread of herpes II?
Avoidance of sexual contact with symptomatic individuals is an immediate, but only partial answer because herpes virus may be shed while the infected individual remains asymptomatic. Cesarean section is often recommended when primary or recurrent herpes II lesions occur in late pregnancy.

Sexual relations should be approached responsibly.

Limit the number of your sex partners.
Use a male or female condom.
If you think you are infected, avoid any sexual contact and visit the local STD clinic, a hospital or your doctor.
Further Information
Wadsworth Center for Laboratories and Research
Herpes Simplex Virus in Newborns



This is from the New York Dept of Health

I have both and I know all about them and would share but everyone previously explained it well.