Would you date someone with type 2 herpes?

Question

I had dated this man in the past, who, when things started to get serious, revealed to me, that he had type 2 genital herpes (HSV -2.) I totally appreciated his honesty, thought it was very considerate and brave of him to admit it to me before we got intimate. After he told me I was in a real dilemma as to whether to pursue a relationship with him.

I researched the disease and found that it was highly prevalent. About 1 in 4 men in the US are infected with HSV-2. This is higher in many other countries. There is no cure for the disease. But then again there is no serious health risk of contracting it. The only symptom are possible genital sores that could be fairly painful. But apparently these outbreaks reduce with time.

Ofcourse you can reduce chances of contraction by using condoms and by the infected person taking medication that reduces chances of transmission. But it is not a 100% fool proof. Plus it would mean using a condom during oral as well (I think.) Anyway that was a personal problem for me, as with vaginismus I find it hard to use condoms (painful.)

Overall from what i gathered the social stigma of the disease is way worse that it actually is. And that was my biggest concern. I think if I knew I was gonna be with this man forever, I would not have any issue dating this man and even contracting the disease. But the thought of possibly breaking up with him and being left with a disease that would reduce my chances in the dating world scared me the most.

I think efforts must be made to spread awareness of this disease. I really feel for those who suffer from it, because it is a psychological trauma more than anything else.

Anyway I was curious on my fellow Gagger's thoughts on this...

PS - I ended up not having a relationship with that man, but that was for reasons beyond his disease...

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Probably. What people also don't realize is that around 90% of all adults over 18 have HSV-1 so basically if you've ever kissed a person you've got it because don't forget about all the celibate people in the world as they probably make up the majority of that 10% remainder. So a lot of people have genital herpes simply because they pass it from the mouth to the partners groin when they give them oral. And people freak out about that. Even though they are technically different viruses they are virtually the same. Hell a lot of people who say they wouldn't date someone with herpes don't even know they already have it since symptoms are pretty rare and many people never experience them. I kind of wish they'd also make a med for non infected people to be able to take too to reduce the risk.

jacquesvol · Accepted Answer

FYI: The HSV-2 prevalence hovers around 20%–30% range for most European countries and the United States source:  See also:  Just saying

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I'm think I got HSV from my ex who had no symptoms and as far as I know, had no idea he had it.

While I'm celibate right now & don't really care to date (mostly for other reasons), but once I thought about it, with 1 in 4 people having it... your odds of your next potential partner having it are pretty high, too. So I don't think I'd choose no automatically, even if I don't have it.

Though I do fully expect to be shunned if I do end up being positive and start dating again, because emotions > logic. So it goes...

Anonymous · Answer

I already know a woman with it that I've been with every so often but she is on medicine and I always use condoms and have never had a problem

Would you date someone with type 2 herpes?

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