I [25F] just started seeing a guy [31M] who I really like. We’ve hooked up twice and he just told me he’s HSV 2 positive.

this is anecdotal to be sure, but my dearest friend, at 18, contracted herpes the first time she ever had sex, which was shitty period, but especially so since:

she was a virgin and had sex with the dude because she really, really liked him and thought he liked her and that they had a future

and

he was MY boyfriend's friend, and said bf knew he had herpes, but kept it from both of us

she was too inexperienced to note anything 'off' there. and, booze was involved. not that it matters, really, but he was also 30. i loved that dude prior to this, but after... let's just say i'm glad i haven't ever crossed his path since, especially now that i'm older and understand even better how MUCH he (and my now very longtime ex) fucked her over.

all that said, in 25 years, the only partner she's ever transmitted it to was the one who insisted on having unprotected sex during an outbreak (who knew she had it; she always, always disclosed). "it'll be fine," he insisted. she said no. he said, "okay, let's just role play a bit, i'll tie you up, but we won't fuck." she agreed. he tied her up. then fucked her.

she dumped him immediately thereafter, but two months later, he showed up uninvited on her doorstep, shaking his positive test in her face, calling her ALL KINDS of names. she was torn up about it, felt totally guilty, but i was like, 'look, you TOLD him. he KNEW. he chose to risk it. this shit is on HIM, it is not on you."

the point is, you are likely okay. the only time my friend ever transmitted was mid-outbreak, unprotected 'sex'. (quotes because.)

but next time, protect yourself. demand a <week old globally negative test and use a condom regardless.

/r/relationships Thread