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Can Genital Herpes Be Contracted Without Any Sexual Contact?

Posted on Sat, 28 Jun 2014

Question: I met a guy and we kissed passionately then just when we thought we were getting intimate he had confessed to m that he has genital herpes... Did i get herpes from kissing him... Even though he is soooooo clean and nothing on his body... He takes valacyclovir

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are safe

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic

I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query and I have understood it.

Since he said that he has genital herpes, therefore the only way you could have acquired herpes from him was through intimate sexual contact (genital to genital OR oral receptive), not through kissing.

As there was no genital to genital contact therefore you are absolutely safe.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (16 minutes later)

Ok, one more question, he's had it since 1990 and he has it under control... He is very healthy, excercise on a regular basis and i really want to be with him .... He is 56 years old.... How can i be with him without getting infected and enjoy life with him and take precautions .... If he takes his medication on a regular basis, would that prevent me? I am so disappinted that a desease like that there is no cure for it.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Herpes genitalis

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

When he is not having symptoms of genital herpes, it is less likely that he will pass the virus on when you have sex. However, some virus will be present on the genital skin surface from time to time, although infrequently. So, there is still a small chance that he may pass on the virus when you have sex even when he does not have symptoms.

Antiviral medicines does not clear the virus from the body. It works by stopping the virus from multiplying, therefore decreasing the risk of transmitting the virus to uninfected partner but not making it 'Absolutely Zero'. The risk would still be there, no matter how less.

Therefore, protective sex would still be advisable for both of you.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (7 minutes later)

Is condoms secure enough?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Herpes Genitalis

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Same with condoms! Using a condom may help lower this risk but it will not get rid of the risk completely. Though condoms cover the business end of the penis but they don't cover the base of the shaft completely OR may get slipped down a little during sexual contact, therefore there is still a chance of direct genital to genital contact.

However, if you want to be with him, then go ahead because the risk would be very less provided he takes valacyclovir regularly, abstains during an episode of herpes and also uses a protection/condom most of the times.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (13 minutes later)

Thank you, but how come is not curable? And i researched this desease that 45percent of population has it ... What kind of desease that up till now it has no cure. My god i am terrified and sa at the same time, cause this man is amazing and was in tears when i heard it, including himself he was crying when he told me.... Is is detremenal?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Herpes

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

The fact is that Herpes is not curable.

This man is honest for sure and now it is up to you. If he would have been detrimental, I guess he may have not told you.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (18 minutes later)

So he is going to live with his desease till the last day of his life... What about those natural treatment that they advertise on line? Are they reliable and would make a difference in his life where we can enjoy each other better? Something call quick and lear?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Herpes

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Although the infection can stay in the body for the rest of the life, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease over a period of years.

Since he has it since 1990 therefore thats a long time back. I don't think he would be as infectious as if somebody who has acquired herpes recently

I am not sure about the natural treatments, I don't think they would make a difference.

Since he is already taking valacyclovir regularly, which is definitely more effective than any natural treatment would be, this makes it less likely that he will pass the infection on to you and even more less likely with a protection/condom.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (8 minutes later)

Great ... Thank you so much.... I will give him the good news.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for posting your concern at Healthcaremagic

Regards
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (6 hours later)

Ok, what if we decide just to cuddle and kiss with passionate ... Hug each others and sleep holding hands without entercourse? Is this contagious?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
herpes

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Not at all

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar