is it difficult for couples with herpes to conceive?
347874
Herpes itself should not present a problem when it comes to conception.  Genital herpes is a very common disease caused by herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2). There are no specific precautions one should take while trying to get pregnant, but you should avoid intercourse when the lesions are active. HSV becomes an issue in pregnancy at the time of delivery. If active lesions are present when you go into labor, a c-section is recommended to minimize the chance of passing the disease to the baby. The chances of recurrent HSV causing problems in your pregnancy are slim.
808952
Genital herpes can be prevented and can be treated.  It cannot be cured.  Prevention is always the best policy..use protection! thats what it is there for.
180752
An Italian study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2004 showed that 90% of couples who always used BOTH condoms and suppressive medications (cyclovir drugs) prevented the herpes from infecting the other partner. Using both condoms and drug therapy are highly effective at keeping the HSV2 away from your partner.
154893
Yes there is a chance you will get it if your partner has it. \nI just found out after almost 4 years of marriage I have genital herpes. My husband and I dont practice safe sex however I take my medication daily that knocks his chance of getting it down by 50%, thats not to say he doesnt have it and shows no symptoms. 70% of people who have HSV has a partner that shows no signs. Get a blood test before you sleep with them to make sure you indeed dont have herpes. 1 in 5 people have it. \nCondoms are not 100% either. Herpes can be on the testes, buttocks,inner theighs. \nBe as careful as you can, but there are no guarntees.
712924
It depends. The only way 2 virgins can develope an STD is if one of you has a history of cold sores and performed oral sex on the other. Then the one partner can develope herpes in the genital region. Also possible to transmit Hepatitis B, C which people often forget is also an STD
35174
Thats good to know. I was never tested for Herpes and then had a outbreak at the age of 28, married for 4 years with 2 kids.\nI never knew.
721008
(m)\n\nThe Herpes simplex virus infection (common names: herpes, cold sores) is a common, contagious, incurable, and in some cases sexually transmitted disease caused by a double-stranded DNA virus. The infection can also affect the brain, in which case the consequent disease is called herpes simplex encephalitis. \n\n\nHerpes is a contagious infection that's caused by the herpes simplex virus. One type of the virus - herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) - can lead to cold sores around the mouth. An infection of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2) can lead to genital herpes, a sexually transmitted disease that causes blisters and pain in the genital area.\n\nBoth types of the virus can be transmitted through direct contact. A person can get the cold sores of HSV1 by kissing or sharing eating utensils with an infected person. A person can get genital herpes or HSV2 by having intimate contact with an infected person. A mother who has genital herpes can pass the infection on to her newborn if she delivers the baby vaginally.\n\nIn many cases, herpes doesn't cause any symptoms, so it's possible for a person to carry it and unknowingly pass it on to someone else. In other cases, herpes infections can lead to infections in other parts of the body.\n\nSometimes people who have oral or genital herpes only have one outbreak. But other people have many outbreaks, which are less painful and shorter than the initial episode.\n\nThere's no cure for herpes. In fact, once a person has been infected with the herpes virus, it's in the body forever. There are medications that can alleviate some of the discomfort that outbreaks cause. And there are things you can do to help protect yourself - and your family -from getting infected by the virus.\n\nTypes of Herpes Infections\nCold sores around the mouth are usually caused by HSV1. This form of the virus is usually transmitted from person to person by saliva or direct contact, like kissing or sharing eating utensils.\n\nIn this form of herpes, blisters form on the lips and on the inside of the mouth, and soon develop into painful ulcers. The gums become red and swollen, and the tongue may develop a white coating. Other symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, eating difficulties, a generally ill feeling, irritability, and swollen neck glands. These symptoms can last from 3 to 2 weeks.\n\nAfter the first herpes infection, the virus can lie dormant without causing any symptoms for some time. But the virus can reactivate at a later time, leading to a tingling and numbness around the mouth, then a blister that breaks and forms a crust. The virus tends to reactivate following some type of stress on the body, like a cold, an infection, hormone changes, menstrual periods, or even a tooth extraction.\n\nGenital herpes is usually caused by HSV2. This form of the virus occurs mainly in sexually active teens and adults and is transmitted through intimate contact.\n\nSymptoms typically begin with pain, tenderness, or itching in the genital area and also include fever and headache.\n\nIn males, blisters appear on the penis. In females, blisters appear on the area around the vagina and in the cervix. In both genders, the blisters may appear on the thighs and buttocks. Blisters soon erupt to form painful sores that last 1 to 3 weeks.\n\nOther symptoms may include: pain or a burning sensation during urination; a clear mucus-like discharge from the vagina or urethra (opening for urine) in females; a clear mucus-like discharge from the tip of the penis in males; and tender, swollen glands in the groin area.\n\nAs with HSV1, after an initial outbreak of genital herpes blisters, HSV2 also remains dormant in nearby nerves and can be reactivated later in life. The symptoms of reactivated genital herpes are similar to those of first outbreak, but they're generally less severe.
34947
Well it's different for every individual, some take longer than others to conceive - you should consult your GP about this topic. On the other hand it could also depend on how fertile you are. People always say one should try not to think of it too much and it will happen sooner..
208291
I would keep seeing a person with herpes as long as they were honest with me from the beginning.  It's frustrating, of course, and it wouldn't be my first choice, but if I really liked the person then it wouldn't matter.  It would affect when we could have sex, but if the relationship is built on something more important than sex, then that would still be okay with me.  If they did not tell me about it and I found out later, I would not stay with them.
861983
You could do the Herpes Virus, there's Herpes Simplex I and Herpes Simplex II.  You could find pictures too.  It is a very common virus.
506297
Well...\n\nIt's actually not that difficult. It's a risk that you'll need to take but by being extra careful there's a good chance he will not get it from you.\n\n1. Try to be as aware as possible regarding your body. Check the areas that you usually get the sores often. You'll have to use the frequency that you get them as a guide for this. Some people don't have outbreaks for months while others it's more like a weekly thing.\n\n2. Get a prescription drug like Valtrex. Drugs can diminish the number of outbreaks you have so the window of opportunity is larger.\n\n3. Always wash your hands thoroughly after touching your genitals/bottom, etc.\n\n4. Use separate washcloths and towels. Never let him use the same towel that you do. It's very rare but an active sore can transmit the virus by way of towels, and similar.\n\nAlso, please ignore the foolish/stupid/mean answers on this page. Herpes is not the plague, it's actually VERY COMMON, especially in the United States. Artificial insemination is a great answer, except that it is very expensive and mostly unnecessary.\n\nAnd... for the people that misunderstood your question and thought you were referring to giving birth... there is absolutely no need to have a C section unless your OBGYN recommends it based on your history.
515677
depends, if you are female then that depends on your ovaries and tubes, or his semen. If you are a man, then I will have to yes, it is hard to get pregnant.
185221
look, it has been estimated that ONE IN FOUR US adults has herpes. it seems to me that it's a pretty silly reason to leave an otherwise acceptible partner.\n\n"Some couples have reported no transmission of the virus even though they have been in a sexual relationship for many years. This is put down to restraint during outbreaks or very particular avoidance of the blisters during sex.\n\nIf you care about your partner and want to have an intimate relationship with her or him, herpes does not have to stand in the way. Couples deal successfully with herpes all the time. In most cases, it is only a minor inconvenience.\n\nHerpes often brings about some changes in a couple's sex life, such as abstaining from sex during outbreaks. For most people with herpes, this occurs only a few times a year. Ask your partner how often he or she has outbreaks so you'll have some idea of what to expect.\n\nBetween outbreaks, you may wish to use condoms to reduce the risk of infection.\n\nCondoms offer the best protection against other STDs and STIs as well, which is important in a new relationship. Since herpes does not pose a serious health risk, some couples choose not to use condoms in a long-term relationship."
772301
if you are a child..please do not read this message......yes, your partner can give you genital herpes if he has an active fever blister (herpes simplex) and performs oral. now, studies has also shown herpes carriers are transmitting the disease even when the herpes sores are not present.
1024044
yes, but you're partner will get herpes too, and soo might the baby
342718
I'm so sorry to even have the knowledge to tell you this. I contracted HSV from a boyfriend of a year after he had unprotected sex with some slut in Atlanta and then crawled into my bed. Now I am in new relationship with a man I've known for nearly two years. I will have to tell him about herpes too. After herpes, everything in my life changed, but it wasn't the disease that hurts the most -it's the stigma, hurt, and the inability to trust someone else. After the first outbreak it's pretty much smooth sailing except all those old feelings are brought up with every new outbreak. Three years ago, I had a relationship with a man who admitted after we had dated and had sex for nine months that he had herpes. At first, I was okay with it until I realized that he lied to me. He lied by not saying anything. He made the decision that I wasn't a person enough to decide whether I wanted herpes in my life. Then I wondered, "What other decisions is he making for me?" That was scary. Then Mr. I'm Getting Kicks in Atlanta took my ability to choose. He decided that it would be easier to not tell me that there was another person in our bed than to tell me the truth. Someone has already taken your ability to choose, but you and I have no right to do that to someone else. You don't want to go into your new relationship and have someone feel that way about you. Approximately 1 in 4 people have genital herpes and really it's no big deal. The stigma is the thing that ruins people's lives. If it didn't exist than there might be better relationships. I will be telling my next partner within as soon as sex comes up. Tell him in a relaxed setting (clothes on) and really talk to him. Tell him before you've had any sexual contact. It's okay if he's weirded out by it. Tell him, "I know what it feels like not to be valued as person because someone did that to me. I care for you and I want there to be no secrets between us. I have herpes." Give him an envelope filled with reading material so that he can see for himself. Then quickly tell him what herpes means, i.e. a noncurable skin condition. Try to be as positive as possible, he is going to look for cues from you to understand how to feel. Personally, I won't be choosing another sex partner now before marriage. I know this makes this harder, but I consider this a huge warning to not trust "Goodtime Charlie" with a go-round with my body. It's worth more than that.
28638
Chances are she will get it,even if you are not having an outbreak. Herpes has Viral Shedding...which means you still shed some of the virus 90% of the time. It is best for her to have a C section to be sure the babay wont get it