How to Have Sex with Someone with Herpes
Recognize the symptoms of a herpes outbreak., Consider avoiding sex during an outbreak., Use condoms or dental dams., Refrain from touching herpes sores., Be open to different types of sexual activity.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Recognize the symptoms of a herpes outbreak.
If your partner has genital herpes, they can be contagious at all times; however, the risk of infection is highest when your partner is having an outbreak.
It's important that you and your partner both know how to recognize a herpes outbreak.Symptoms include the following:
A tingling sensation in the infected area Small red dots or blisters around the genitals Flu-like symptoms, such as a headache, muscle aches, fevers, and swollen glands -
Step 2: Consider avoiding sex during an outbreak.
Your partner will be most likely to pass on the infection to you during an outbreak.
If you want to avoid becoming infected yourself, talk to your partner about avoiding sexual activity during an outbreak.
The duration of outbreaks depend on how long your partner has had the virus and whether they are on any antiviral medications.
On average, outbreaks last three to 14 days., Using condoms or dental dams during sex can reduce the transmission rates of genital herpes.
Keep in mind herpes can affect parts of the skin not covered by a condom or dental dam so such protective methods do not completely eliminate the risk.
Be aware that herpes can be spread by both vaginal or anal sex.
Use of latex condoms can greatly cut down on transmission rates of genital herpes.
Transmission rates are reduced by 30 – 50% when latex condoms are used properly.Dental dams may not provide as much protection as condoms but can still be effective at preventing the spread of herpes.Herpes can be spread through oral sex.
Both the giver or the receiver of oral sex can contract herpes during the act; therefore, to be safe, you should also use condoms or dental dams during oral sex if you want to prevent the virus from spreading.Consider using lubricants.
They will not protect against STDs, but can reduce friction and therefore limit the number of outbreaks.
Lubrication will also help keep condoms from breaking during use.
Products like KY jelly or AstroGlide are available at most drug stores., Herpes can also be spread from skin-to-skin contact.
If you're engaging in genital stimulation with your hands, be careful to avoid touching herpes sores if your partner is having an outbreak.
Wash your hands immediately using soap and warm water after coming into physical contact with herpes sores to prevent herpes transmission., You may not be comfortable with genital-to-genital contact if your partner has genital herpes.
That's okay.
There are many other ways to have a fulfilling sex life with your partner even if you're refraining from certain sexual activities.
Activities like mutual masturbation do not pose a transmission risk.
You could also consider genital stimulation via hand, as long as you wash your hands shortly after contact.
Experiment with your partner with alternative sexual practices.
Be creative and find out what feels right for the two of you.If you share sex toys, make sure you thoroughly clean the toys or use fresh condoms after use.
This can prevent the spread of the herpes virus. -
Step 3: Use condoms or dental dams.
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Step 4: Refrain from touching herpes sores.
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Step 5: Be open to different types of sexual activity.
Detailed Guide
If your partner has genital herpes, they can be contagious at all times; however, the risk of infection is highest when your partner is having an outbreak.
It's important that you and your partner both know how to recognize a herpes outbreak.Symptoms include the following:
A tingling sensation in the infected area Small red dots or blisters around the genitals Flu-like symptoms, such as a headache, muscle aches, fevers, and swollen glands
Your partner will be most likely to pass on the infection to you during an outbreak.
If you want to avoid becoming infected yourself, talk to your partner about avoiding sexual activity during an outbreak.
The duration of outbreaks depend on how long your partner has had the virus and whether they are on any antiviral medications.
On average, outbreaks last three to 14 days., Using condoms or dental dams during sex can reduce the transmission rates of genital herpes.
Keep in mind herpes can affect parts of the skin not covered by a condom or dental dam so such protective methods do not completely eliminate the risk.
Be aware that herpes can be spread by both vaginal or anal sex.
Use of latex condoms can greatly cut down on transmission rates of genital herpes.
Transmission rates are reduced by 30 – 50% when latex condoms are used properly.Dental dams may not provide as much protection as condoms but can still be effective at preventing the spread of herpes.Herpes can be spread through oral sex.
Both the giver or the receiver of oral sex can contract herpes during the act; therefore, to be safe, you should also use condoms or dental dams during oral sex if you want to prevent the virus from spreading.Consider using lubricants.
They will not protect against STDs, but can reduce friction and therefore limit the number of outbreaks.
Lubrication will also help keep condoms from breaking during use.
Products like KY jelly or AstroGlide are available at most drug stores., Herpes can also be spread from skin-to-skin contact.
If you're engaging in genital stimulation with your hands, be careful to avoid touching herpes sores if your partner is having an outbreak.
Wash your hands immediately using soap and warm water after coming into physical contact with herpes sores to prevent herpes transmission., You may not be comfortable with genital-to-genital contact if your partner has genital herpes.
That's okay.
There are many other ways to have a fulfilling sex life with your partner even if you're refraining from certain sexual activities.
Activities like mutual masturbation do not pose a transmission risk.
You could also consider genital stimulation via hand, as long as you wash your hands shortly after contact.
Experiment with your partner with alternative sexual practices.
Be creative and find out what feels right for the two of you.If you share sex toys, make sure you thoroughly clean the toys or use fresh condoms after use.
This can prevent the spread of the herpes virus.
About the Author
Martha Harvey
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in crafts and beyond.
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