So I contracted HSV1 genitally (and also orally I believe) in December. I just started dating a guy and things have started to heat up pretty quickly. We haven't done anything but Makeout though, despite my wishes to do more. My doctor told me that it's highly unlikely to pass HSV-1 genitally, especially because I take Valtrex daily and use protection also. I really do like this guy and I would DIE if I gave this to him. What's the % chance he could get it with it being HSV-1, using Valtrex/condoms, and not having an outbreak since? I know I'm SUPPOSED to tell him but I'm not sure I can bring myself to do so... Advice anyone? :(
I think I read 3%, but I'd still tell him. Just say you carry the virus for it, and don't go into outbreaks and etc. unless asked. If it comes up later, he'll be miffed you didn't tell him. My doctor said he sees HSV1 on genitals all the time, and vice-versa.
The chances are very low, number wise is hard to determine but I can try to give a numerical idea...Genital HSV1 multiplies/sheds less than genital HSV2, in one year the genital HSV2 virus sheds approximately 10-20% of the days, so we can say that genital HSV1 sheds 1 to 10% of the days in a year...Using antiviral medication reduces this number in half, using condom also reduces the risk of transmission in half so mathematically you are shedding the virus .5% to 5% in a year bc you are taking the drug and when using condom the risk of transmission is 50% (can be 0 if the area of the sore/shed only gets in contact to the condom)....But this is just average numbers, some people shed more than or less than those numbers.....Now that you know all this, my advice to you is that you tell this guy about your condition and inform/educate him, bc I would have love if the person who gave me this had told me (and I bet you would have loved too), one thing is passing the virus w/o knowing you have other thing is knowingly doing (which is not your case, you are doing all the right things to protect him, just do one more extra right thing,tell him)...But be aware that it can go both ways he can be understanding and accept your condition like my girl accepted me or he can take a step back and choose not to take any risk (although is a small one)....Either way you will feel good about youself...please let me know what you did (even if you decided not to tell him - I promise I won't give you a lecture)...Take care