last year, I had a girlfriend, but we did break up but are thinking about getting back together, and at one point, we almost decided to have sex, but we never did get far. The problem is she has herpes from a previous partner. I would like to know the ways to avoid getting herpes? Can one also catch it just by fingering or doing touching by the vaginal area?
Posts: 25 | From: Grand Rapids, Michigan United States | Registered: Sep 2005
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Herpes is most typically contracted by dual contact with mucous membranes. So, genitals-to-genitals, mouths-to-mouths, mouths-to-genitals. Sometimes it can be more indirect, the genitals-to-hand-to-eye.
So, with something like fingering, if and when someone has genital herpes, you'll want to either use latex gloves or just be really good about handwashing before and after (a good idea, anyway), and be careful not to touch anything like your mouth, own genitals or eyes until you're done and have washed your hands. With other kinds of sex, latex barriers are your pals: they provide around 70% protection from the herpes virus.
If and when she is getting or having an outbreak, the best bet is to avoid contact with the area that's happening in or around, period.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63416 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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I was giving the information I was about either type of Herpes, as it's applicable to either.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63416 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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As Heather said, latex barriers and handwashing are the way to go (and are always, always a good idea regardless). For genital-genital contact, that means condoms, and dental dams for oral sex with her as the receiving partner. (If you can't find dental dams - and they can be a bit tricky to find - you can use saran wrap or slice open a condom so you have a flat sheet of latex.)
-------------------- "Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing." -Arundhati Roy Posts: 5329 | From: Canada/Australia | Registered: Sep 2004
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