If you get out there and do a lot of dating, the chances are very good that you will run into people who have herpes. While any sexually transmitted disease is cause for concern and caution, testing positive for herpes is not necessarily a relationship deal-breaker. It’s still a situation that can eb hard to cope with, so here are some tips if you find out your partner has herpes:
Learn about herpes
It’s important to realize that herpes is extremely common in the general population- some statistics say as many as 1 in 3 adults test positive for the virus, and up to 90% of those able to transmit it don’t even know they have it. So, if a potential love interest is honest enough with you to share their status, you can see it as an opportunity to protect yourself, rather than contract it unwittingly.It’s unfortunate that herpes is so common, but the positive side of that is that there are a lot of resources out there for information and support. There are numerous sites online, and most local communities offer many support options as well. If you find out that the person you are dating has herpes, the first thing you should do is educate yourself as much as possible. If you are not yet sexually active with this person, it’s probably a good idea to hold off until you have learned more about how to protect yourself.
Realize herpes is treatable
Although herpes shouldn’t be taken lightly, it’s important to keep things in perspective. It’s a medical condition that is easy to contract, but is also treatable and relatively easy to live with. If you know what you are dealing with, you should be able to avoid contracting it, even if your partner has it.
Stay protected during sex
One step you can take to protect yourself is to always use a condom during intercourse. This is not foolproof, because herpes can be transmitted through just about any genital contact, but it does provide a layer of protection. The other thing you can do is to never have sexual contact while your partner is having an outbreak, because this is when most cases are transmitted.
Talk to your partner about treatment
If your partner is not already undergoing medical treatment for herpes, encourage him to do so. There are some very effective drugs on the market that can minimize symptoms and the frequency of outbreaks. While herpes is an annoyance, it is definitely treatable and by no means life-threatening.
Realize your partner may not know about the disease
Unfortunately, there is a great deal of stigma surrounding herpes, and there are many people who refuse to date anyone who has it. While it is very important that you protect yourself as much as possible, keep in mind that there are many, many people out there who are unknowingly transmitting the virus, and also many who know they have it and don’t disclose it to their prospective partners.So, if someone you are interested in lets you know of their positive status, keep in mind that they are doing you a favor by being honest with you, and by making it possible for you to get the information you need to protect yourself. It may be upsetting to find that someone you care about has herpes, but if you take advantage of the many resources available both online and locally, you can find a way to have a fulfilling relationship, while at the same time ensuring that you will never have to deal with this disease yourself.
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