Herpes...

[Edison Carter]

Susan--Okay, here's a tough statistic about herpes: If ten people have the disease, two of them infected the other eight. Fifty percent of the time it is done knowingly. So, we're big fans of testing and 'meet and mate' is virtually off the menu. Condoms always.

[niceNHcouple]

We can relate. We have HPV(though my wife has never had a wart outbeak and me only 1) and when we tell people they treat us like we have the plague. We are very honest and tell them right up front. We have been with 1 couple a few times and had great fun. We always have condoms with us. We are becoming very discouraged as we cannot seem to find anyone else who'll give us a chance.

[OttawaCuple]

Originally Posted by shelliemn

I think there's a blood test for herpes, but my doctor said there isn't last time I was tested for STDs. She told me that if I have herpes, I'll know it. Perhaps not, huh?

This is a quote from the U.S. Food & Drug Association wesite entitled "Genital Herpes: A Hidden Epidemic":

"There are currently two FDA-cleared blood tests that accurately determine if a person is infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2, the HerpeSelect ELISA Kits and the HerpeSelect Immunoblot Kit made Genital Herpes: A Hidden Epidemicby Focus Technologies of Herndon, Va."

Another quote from the site is:

"... most people with genital herpes don't know they have it, and are unaware they may be spreading it to others, says Warren. Many have no symptoms or mistake their symptoms for something else, such as jock itch, insect bites, hemorrhoids, yeast infections, razor burn, or allergies to laundry detergent."

MrsOttawaCuple

[puddles]

(He speaks) I contracted Herpes in oral sex with then partner's cold sores. Passed it back to her, then it went away. Twice in 20 yrs it came back, in both cases I laid off sex with my then partners then used condoms for at least a week after it healed. Better safe than sorry. Somehow, I don't think it will ever come back twice with the same partner, but it's likely to reappear early in a relationship with a new partner - just like with thrush, once the immune system adjusts to the pH, natural bacterial fauna etc of a new partner the immune system seems able to suppress it. At least, that's been my experience. I don't actually consider it, in my case, or anyone I know with it, to be a serious illness; more of an inconvenience, preferable to toothache. It's the social aspect that sucks, and what it can do to your mind before you understand it is potentially more destructive than the disease itself (birth is a special case). But, different folks, different immunities.
My immunologist friend tells me H is normally passed on only in that active phase (24hrs before the pain there's a tingling, which one comes to recognise, because it's very site-specific) but some people are "shedders" that is to say in these unfortunates the virus is in normally shed skin cells and can be passed on at any time. You can be tested for shedding.
In my experience there's no such thing as a mild outbreak, and the pain pretty much rules out sex anyway. But in a swinging setting, use condoms (of course), and don't have sex if it's "out". Really, herpes should be the least of your worries.
It is well known that herpes thrives on the amino acid l-arginine and does not like l-lysine. Not so well known that Hepatitis C thrives on iron and does not like selenium and the amino acids l-methionine, l-cysteine, or NAC, but I thought I'd include that too.

[kenora_guy]

Don't have it, don't need it and don't want it...

[niceNHcouple]

Never say you don't have it at least where hPV is concerned.Most people that do have it don't even know they have it. How common is HPV?

Approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year.

How do people get genital HPV infections?

The types of HPV that infect the genital area are spread primarily through genital contact. Most HPV infections have no signs or symptoms; therefore, most infected persons are unaware they are infected, yet they can transmit the virus to a sex partner.

[driveajeepnaked]

Originally Posted by wiscpl

We were recently contacted by a couple through SLS in which they mentioned through their profile that they had genital herpes. We really appreciated that they were upfront and honest about their condition when they described themselves but unfortunately had to turn them down. In our profile we mention we are STD free and play safe so we stay that way. We are sure they are a great couple and are probable missing out but this is the one thing we are afraid of most when we decided to enter this lifestyle. We hope everyone is as open and honest as they are when they aproach someone.

We recently had the same experience with a single female, and turned her down with explanation. She was very upfront and honest, mentioned it in the 2nd email to us...

Now, from looking at her certs, we see that she has played with persons in the very small and ever replicating local group... You have to understand that you can practically identify every swinger in this area just going through the certs... So, now we see that other couples that we have either met or chatted with, or hope to play with, are in the circle of certs that have had contact with the single female...

Relating to Spoo's recent post "Pushing the line..." regarding certs and communication... and the whole STD free ideal.. is the whole cert circle at risk of Herpes and would it be overly cautious to avoid those that we know have had exposure??

V

[imsnowman]

Originally Posted by driveajeepnaked

Relating to Spoo's recent post "Pushing the line..." regarding certs and communication... and the whole STD free ideal.. is the whole cert circle at risk of Herpes and would it be overly cautious to avoid those that we know have had exposure??

V

The whole cert circle is "at risk". The risk is probably negligible if the people involved practised safe sex. That doesn't mean only condoms. Reread the posts and do some searches for information on transmission. For instance, H-positives who use a daily valtrex suppresion regime present a very small risk. We have played a lot over several days with H-positives and not had any problems.

Only you can decide if it's overly cautious. We would say that it is more risky to play with those in the circle who you think have been exposed but who don't know if they have it then it is to play with known positives and take appropriate precautions.

[Amanda69]

If I had it to do all over again I wouldnt believe anyone that says they are STD free.

Exactly and a perfect reason to play safe at all times.

And sorry we would not play with anyone who said they had Herpes. I would not and could not take the risk of infection for myself or my partner.

It is however, very important that couples or singles with the infection are honest and it is nice to see many here who say they are.

[kenora_guy]

Originally Posted by niceNHcouple

"Never say you don't have it at least where hPV is concerned. Most people that do have it don't even know they have it.

Well since I was tested for the full spectrum of STD's in mid February, and have been only with my s/o since, unless she is messing around on me (which makes little sense since we have an open relationship) then I'm pretty sure I am hPV free...

Originally Posted by imsnowman

The Republicans would never let it be created or produced. They've stopped production of an HPV vaccine and that causes cancer. Claims it would increase promiscuity among young people.

This makes me wonder with the antiviral drugs out there (current count is about 20 fda approved and a handful that are the approval process) why can't one of these be used for harpies. Some cannot because they are gene specific that is designed to fight a certain DNA sequence. Some are less specific and go after a broader spectrum that is related to a certain DNA. However, others are broad spectrum and go after viruses in general... Why couldn't the last group be used?

The answer is likely money... most antiviral meds are expensive and no insurance company is going volunteer to pay for what they would perceive as a 'small percentage' of the population who are not in monogamous relationships, dogging the neighborhoods spreading the disease...

[OttawaCuple]

HSV is NOT HPV. This thread was originally about herpes (HSV), but someone started talking about HPV and now the two acronyms are being thrown around as if they are the same thing.

HSV is Herpes Simplex Virus, AKA herpes, cold sores (when on the mouth) or genital herpes (when on the genitals).

HPV is Human Papillomavirus, AKA genital warts.

For good, accurate, complete and current information on these two related but very different infections, go to the herpes.org website.

MrsOttawaCuple

[MC_alter]

My wife and are new to the lifestyle and we both carry genital herpes and HPV. At this point we have avoided having to out our issue by engaging in soft-swing only. We haven't had an outbreak of either in over a year at least, but while condoms are very effective in prevent STD spread when used properly, there is always that chance it might break, etc... We are trying to be responsible and the last thing we want to do is expose anyone, but alas, when push comes to shove, I know we need to suck it up and just be up front rather than feeling restrictive will keep people safe from spread.

Here's what I want to know: we have genital herpes but we both have never had a cold sore. I have heard mixed accounts of whether or not there are actually separate strains of oral and/or genital herpes or if they are all the same virus. Assuming we have the strictly genital variety, would it be possible that we could transmit the virus to someone orally to genitaly, and vice versa? I know that people with oral herpes can easily transmit to gental, as oral is often both oral and genital, but what if it is strictly genital? Is this the case, or is it that we both have been lucky enough to never have a cold sore? There seems to be little info out there on this scenario.

Lastly, does anyone know if HPV can be transmitted genital-to-oral?

[louie_st]

Herpes if not posted on your ads in SLS is just wrong. Don't get me wrong oranything, but I would want to know up front. Not a few weeks later then I find out with some growth or something. I would not want to swing, soft swap, or get physical with a in fected person. This would kill me if I or the wife would come home with this!!! I could see alot of people getting hurt over this. This is not your own life, but others you might infect. Then there is the chance you infect somebody else and then here we go on the cycle again. This is how AIDS was so rapidly spread throught the USA. Nobody saying anything and hopes it goes away. God what happens if they pass it along to their children by mistake and now you just corrupted some inocent child becasue you did not want to say anything. I don't know I just think people who are infected need to be very up front about it......

[imsnowman]

Originally Posted by MC_alter

My wife and are new to the lifestyle and we both carry genital herpes and HPV. At this point we have avoided having to out our issue by engaging in soft-swing only. We haven't had an outbreak of either in over a year at least, but while condoms are very effective in prevent STD spread when used properly, there is always that chance it might break, etc... We are trying to be responsible and the last thing we want to do is expose anyone, but alas, when push comes to shove, I know we need to suck it up and just be up front rather than feeling restrictive will keep people safe from spread.

What are the parameters on your soft swing? Do you actually play with the other people or is the touching just between you and your wife?

Originally Posted by MC_alter

Here's what I want to know: we have genital herpes but we both have never had a cold sore. I have heard mixed accounts of whether or not there are actually separate strains of oral and/or genital herpes or if they are all the same virus. Assuming we have the strictly genital variety, would it be possible that we could transmit the virus to someone orally to genitaly, and vice versa? I know that people with oral herpes can easily transmit to gental, as oral is often both oral and genital, but what if it is strictly genital? Is this the case, or is it that we both have been lucky enough to never have a cold sore? There seems to be little info out there on this scenario.

Lastly, does anyone know if HPV can be transmitted genital-to-oral?

Do a search for both HPV and HSV. There are many, many pages of information about both. This site ASHA is one of the best.

[ShellyM]

I have a question and I hope someone has an answer. Is there a difference in a canker sore and a cold sore?