[good times]

I have been watching these discussions with interest because it points out something that I have observed that many people do that totally skews their perception of the statistics that they read on the internet. That is that even if one makes the assumption (not supported by real evidence, in my opinion) that the "statistics" are correct, and 25% of the US population has Herpes, that doesn't mean that 25% of the people you encounter in swinging are infected. Most of us, as long time married couples, are in an extremely low risk group for having STD's. Other demographic groups have STD's approaching 100%. This means to me that not necessarily that many swingers are lying or unaware that they don't have genital Herpes, as I believe very few do. So, to say that swingers in general are going to run into a play partner that have Herpes, Whether they know or not, is not as factual a statement as the broad based "statistics" would indicate.

If you are unlucky and do run into someone with Herpes, even if they are taking all of the available treatments, I cannot find any statistics or research that supports the assertion that you are any less likely to play with them when they are shedding the virus than someone who is not being treated or is unaware that they have Herpes. Whether someone is taking treatment or not, they can still have outbreaks and shed the virus. Some people that have Herpes may not have an active outbreak for years at a time, on the other hand, the next person who is being treated can have active outbreaks several times a year despite their treatment. That is why I can't answer this poll, because their really isn't any difference in risk between the two options given. And while it is a bummer for someone who wishes to participate in the lifestyle that has Herpes, the single digit percentage improvement that the use of condoms provides just isn't good enough for me. So, like most of the others here, I would have to decline to play with someone who has Herpes.