7 The most frequently asked questions if a partner has genital herpes

Genital herpes is a highly contagious venereal disease. This disease can be spread through touch, but is more often spread through sexual contact. When you find out that your partner has genital herpes, you may be surprised at first and then have tons of questions piling up in your head. Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions when someone has just found out that their partner has genital herpes.

What is my risk of getting genital herpes from a partner?

Basically this depends on the sexual habits that you have with your partner. If you practice safe sex by always using a condom, don't use it sex toy alternately, and are also loyal to only one partner, your risk of getting genital herpes will be lower. Conversely, if you have frequent risky sex with your partner, your chances of getting genital herpes will certainly be much greater.

How is it safe to have sex if my partner has genital herpes?

The safest and easiest way to do so that you don't catch genital herpes from a partner is to always use a condom when having sex. In many cases, people who have genital herpes do not know that they are infected. The reason is, the symptoms of this disease are very vague and very similar to the symptoms of other diseases, such as acne, insect bites, hemorrhoids, and so on. Remember, the genital herpes virus can be transmitted even if your partner is not showing any symptoms.

Therefore, always having sex with a condom can be an effective preventive way so as not to contract genital herpes. It is recommended that men also continue to use condoms when receiving oral sex from their partners.

Can my partner recover?

Genital herpes is a highly contagious viral infection. A person who has been infected with genital herpes will forever have this virus in his body. Even so, the herpes virus is not always active. Viruses can "fall asleep" and hide for a while, but can reactivate if triggered by something. This disease can recur at any time, for example when the body's immune system drops.

How can I tell if I have genital herpes or not?

Go to the doctor and immediately do a venereal disease test to confirm your real condition. Your doctor will take a sample if you suspect symptoms of sores that resemble genital herpes on your skin and immediately check them in the laboratory for further testing.

Blood tests may also be done to see what antibodies your immune system will make when you are infected. The second type of herpes simplex virus, HSV-2, almost always infects the genital area. So if the test results show detectable antibodies to HSV-2 in your blood, this means you may have genital herpes.

Meanwhile, if the blood test results show antibodies to other types of herpes viruses, such as HSV-1, then there are two possibilities. You can get genital herpes or oral herpes. This is because oral herpes can spread to the genitals during oral sex.

What health problems might my partner have if they get genital herpes?

The biggest impact of genital herpes is usually emotional in nature and can even cause a person to experience depression. Actually this is a natural thing. Because facing painful symptoms, changes in sexual activity with a partner, and accepting the fact that this condition cannot be cured is not easy.

Therefore, make sure you provide the best support for your partner so that they are strong in facing the problems at hand.

So, what can I do to help my partner?

For starters, you can understand that having genital herpes is not an easy condition to deal with. You can suggest that your partner joins those who are facing this condition in a support group.

If you think genital herpes is ruining your relationship, you can try couples therapy. Remember, if you leave your partner to find someone else, you will still have the chance to meet other partners with the same illness. So, be wise in making decisions.

Is it possible for a partner to catch genital herpes from the toilet seat?

The virus is transmitted through body fluids and direct skin contact with herpes sores. Viruses usually die quickly outside the body, so transmission is not possible through intermediate objects such as sitting on the toilet, towels, eating utensils, and toothbrushes.

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