I figured this would be the best place to get my questions answered. I do get cold sores myself, but don't have HSV2. My girlfriend has HSV2 and warts. So I have some questions.

If I already get cold sores (HS1) does that lower my
chances of transmission? I read that it does lower it somewhat, but wanted to see what everyone here thought.

Do showers directly after sex help at all?

What are the chances of transmission from women to men? Is it lower than from men to women?

What about the warts? I can't find any information about transimssion of warts at all.

Basically I'm completely new to this world and any information you can give would be wonderful. We have had protected sex a couple of times and she's going to start going on Acyclovir tomorrow. Will that help at all? I'd rather not contract HSV2 if possible.

Please help.

HQ

I forgot to mention, my GF had her warts removed by lazer a couple of months ago. Does that help at all? Or is it just biding time?

Hi HQ,

Having HSV-1 (the usual cause of cold sores) may protect you a bit from getting HSV-2 (statistically speaking) but it's far from a guarantee. I wouldn't want to rely on it as a protection strategy. It's very possible (and not uncommon) to have both. As far as I know it won't protect you at all from getting HPV (warts).

Showers right after sex *might* help *a bit* but again, it's far from a significant protection strategy.

I don't know what the risks are from one gender to another, but if you're looking to calculate a protection strategy all you're going to be doing is a numbers game, which is not very reliable when it comes down to reality.

It's hard to find solid information about HPV and transmission of it, I've found. There's a Q&A post about it on the Sexually Transmitted Diseases board of Health Boards that someone posted in this board recently. You might check it out. I don't have a lot of info about HPV but you can get a bit of info if you do a general search on the Internet. My very limited understanding is that having the warts burned off can reduce the risk of her passing it on but it's not a guarantee.

The best chance you have to protect yourself from catching HSV (and HPV probably too) is to use condoms every time, and for her to go on antiviral drugs on a preventive basis. Acyclovir is a generic and usually cheaper, but Valtrex and Famvir tend to be a bit more effective but a lot more expensive. The Acyclovir will defintely help, but if she's getting breakthrough outbreaks (OBs) or prodrome symptoms (itching, tingling, burning, pain, etc. in the genital area) then she might want to try one of the other antivirals to see if it's more effective. Those symptoms could indicate that she's contagious at that time.

Another possibility is that she might want to try supplementing the drugs with alternative treatments (e.g., herbal, etc.), which are discussed on this board and on herpes.org (in our Resource Links). This has not been scientifically tested as a preventive strategy like what you're looking for, but it might help minimise the risk of transmission by reducing symptoms and therefore viral shedding.

You both can learn a lot about HSV by checking out the Resource Links on this board. There are a couple of books that are very good too: "The Truth About Herpes" by Dr. Stephen Sacks, and "Managing Herpes" published by ASHA (Amer. Social Health Assn.).

Lastly, I want to congratulate you on being open-minded about this and willing to see her as a person beyond her health problems. She's a lucky lady to have you. I hope things work out for you two. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Keep us posted how you two are doing.

TheOneInFour

Oneinfour,

Thank you so much for your response. I wasn't expecting such a helpful response. I think you've cleared some things up for me and every little bit helps. I've been doing almost non-stop research since she told me and the more I read, the better off I am. But coming here and asking has helped quite a bit. Thanks so much.

I'll pass along your suggestion about the medication to her. I had never heard of that medication she will be taking but have heard of other things like Valtrex. I'll see what she has to say about it.

At first I'll admit that when she told me she has HSV that I thought it might end our relationship, but thankfully I've stuck around and have met a wonderful woman that I would have never met had I let it scare me off. She's not the lucky one, I am.

Thanks so much, I'll keep checking back in case anyone else has anything to add.