The best information on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and infections (STIs) is from the CDC's STD website.
Herpes (genital warts) can be spread from genital-to-genital contact, and also from oral-to-genital contact.
A person can become infected with herpes (from both ways, mentioned above), when a sore is present, but also from skin that does not appear to have a sore.
As the CDC states, "transmission [of herpes, genital-to-genital and oral-to-genital] can occur from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore and may not know that he or she is infected."
Do you think you are at risk of being infected with herpes? Most people do not have any signs or symptoms, and the virus can still be spread to others without either partner knowing. This is where the term "asymptomatic" comes from...most people with STIs are asymptomatic; the reason there is such an epidemic because they are spread without people knowing they are even infected.
If you know that your boyfriend has herpes, you will need to use a barrier contraceptive (condom, female condom, dental dam) every-time that you have intercourse or oral sex to protect yourself from becoming infected with herpes. (A dental dam is basically a condom, that is cut in half to lay flat over the woman's genital area). Condoms are not 100% effective against herpes, as they only cover the penis and not entire genital area.
Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns.
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The best information on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and infections (STIs) is from the CDC's STD website.
Herpes (genital warts) can be spread from genital-to-genital contact, and also from oral-to-genital contact.
A person can become infected with herpes (from both ways, mentioned above), when a sore is present, but also from skin that does not appear to have a sore.
As the CDC states, "transmission [of herpes, genital-to-genital and oral-to-genital] can occur from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore and may not know that he or she is infected."
Do you think you are at risk of being infected with herpes? Most people do not have any signs or symptoms, and the virus can still be spread to others without either partner knowing. This is where the term "asymptomatic" comes from...most people with STIs are asymptomatic; the reason there is such an epidemic because they are spread without people knowing they are even infected.
If you know that your boyfriend has herpes, you will need to use a barrier contraceptive (condom, female condom, dental dam) every-time that you have intercourse or oral sex to protect yourself from becoming infected with herpes. (A dental dam is basically a condom, that is cut in half to lay flat over the woman's genital area). Condoms are not 100% effective against herpes, as they only cover the penis and not entire genital area.
Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns.
March 29, 2009 - 6:24amThis Comment
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