Great sex with genital herpes

Learning that you have genital herpes can be a difficult experience. Although herpes is very common, many people assume that a positive HSV-1 or HSV-2 diagnosis spells the end of a normal romantic and sexual life. In fact, while many people with herpes panic upon experiencing initial symptoms of the virus, most people with herpes find that maintaining romantic and sexual relationships is far easier than expected. Having sex with herpes is normal, so long as you take the right precautions. Each type of the virus acts differently in the body, infecting different nerves while causing identical symptoms.

Another partner doesn't. Any sexual contact between the two can infect the uninfected. The virus most easily enters the body through a break in the skin, Glatt says—say, an abrasion from rough sex, a cut in your mouth, or a sore from another condition. Having any one STI increases your risk for acquiring a second. There's no cure for herpes—and though your risk of spreading it tends to decrease over the years, it's still possible for you to infect a partner. Here's what you need to know to avoid sharing more than you bargained for.

Herpes is the most common cause of genital ulcerations, but the infection can be spread even when no symptoms are visible. There are two types of the Herpes simplex virus HSV. HSV-1 is primarily associated with oral infection, and the HSV-2 is primarily associated with genital infection. We use cookies to improve functionality and performance. By clicking "OK" or by continuing to browse this site, you agree to the use of cookies.

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause small, painful sores in the genital area. The symptoms may include fever, itching, burning, and trouble urinating. But many people with the disease don't realize they have been infected with HSV, because either they have only mild or infrequent symptoms, or no symptoms at all. In women, herpes outbreaks can also be mistaken for vaginitis, urinary tract infections, or even hemorrhoids.