Knowing How to Live with Genital Herpes Helps Put You In Charge

My partner has herpes

Consider their feelings as well as your own.
If your partner has told you they have genital herpes, it was probably a difficult thing for them to do. Even if it’s not something you wanted to hear, by being honest with you, your partner has acted in your best interests. Your partner knows that you are at risk of contracting the virus. You need to know that too, so you can both take steps to reduce your risk.

Listen carefully to what your partner has to say. Try not to be judgmental and keep an open mind. Many people have genital herpes and don’t even know it because they have no symptoms. Any symptoms they do have may be so mild as to go unnoticed – and untreated.⁶ Most of all, genital herpes is far more common than most people realize (see About Genital Herpes).

Before you make any decisions about your relationship, give yourself time to learn more about genital herpes. Naturally, you will be concerned about your risk of getting genital herpes but there are many ways that you and your partner can reduce the risk of transmission. Find out all that you need to know about genital herpes, preferably with your partner.

References

1. Clarke P. The Impact of a Herpes Diagnosis and the Implications for Patient Counseling. Clinical Management of Herpes Viruses,1995: 75-85. IOS Print, Washington, DC. 2. Whitley RJ, Kimberlin DW and Roizman B. Herpes Simplex Viruses. Clin Infect Dis 1998;26(3):541-553. 3. Sacks S. The Truth About Herpes. 4th Ed., 1997. Gordon Soules Book Publishing Ltd. 4. Kemeny ME, Cohen F, Zegans LS et al. Psychological and Immunological Predictors of Genital Herpes Recurrence. Psych Med 1989;51:195-208. 5. Aoki FY. Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections 2006 Edition; Genital Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infections. Public Health Agency of Canada http://phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/sti_2006/pdf/sti2006_e.pdf. Accessed May 15, 2006. 6. Cuisini M and Ghislanzoni M.The importance of diagnosing genital herpes. J Antimicrob Chemo 2001;47(Topic T1):9-16.