How do I tell my partner that I have genital herpes?

How do I tell my partner that I have genital herpes? Telling your partner that you have herpes may be one of the hardest things you have to consider. Guilt, anger, betrayal, and shock are common responses to a diagnosis of herpes. Your partner is likely to be worried about how, when and from whom you caught the virus. You may fear that the news could end your relationship. But if you can, it is often best to be honest. This way, your partner can get treatment if needed, and you can reduce the risk of passing on the infection if your partner does not yet have the virus. You can also be open and honest in the future if there are worries about pregnancy and childbirth. Before you talk to your partner it helps to know all the facts. Take a look at Genital herpes: the facts, and talk things through with your doctor, a nurse or a counsellor beforehand.

See Also - Genital herpes: the facts In future relationships it is a good idea to be honest about herpes before you have sex with someone. This reduces the risk of infecting them and lets you start with a clean slate. But be careful - prepare yourself for the possibility that they will not want to get involved, and make sure you know the person well and trust them before you discuss herpes. Preparing what to say in advance may help when introducing the subject. You may wish to use one of the following approaches: 1: Highlight the strengths of your relationship. You can begin by saying "I really enjoy being with you and feel I can trust you with something very personal. I'd like to be intimate with you, but first, you need to know I have genital herpes" or 2: Emphasise that you are concerned about sexually transmitted diseases and how people can spread disease without knowing it. You don't want to pass on the virus to your partner, nor do you want to get another sexually transmitted disease. You might say, "Safer sex is really important to me. I've had unprotected sex in the past and it gave me genital herpes. I want to reduce the chance of spreading it to you". Once you have discussed genital herpes with your sexual partner, you may offer some printed information so he or she can find answers to any further questions that may arise. You may also consider offering to arrange a meeting with a counsellor at a Sexual Health/STD centre.

How do I tell my partner that I have genital herpes?

Telling your partner that you have herpes may be one of the hardest things you have to consider. Guilt, anger, betrayal, and shock are common responses to a diagnosis of herpes. Your partner is likely to be worried about how, when and from whom you caught the virus. You may fear that the news could end your relationship.

But if you can, it is often best to be honest. This way, your partner can get treatment if needed, and you can reduce the risk of passing on the infection if your partner does not yet have the virus. You can also be open and honest in the future if there are worries about pregnancy and childbirth.

Before you talk to your partner it helps to know all the facts. Take a look at Genital herpes: the facts, and talk things through with your doctor, a nurse or a counsellor beforehand.

See Also - Genital herpes: the facts

In future relationships it is a good idea to be honest about herpes before you have sex with someone. This reduces the risk of infecting them and lets you start with a clean slate. But be careful - prepare yourself for the possibility that they will not want to get involved, and make sure you know the person well and trust them before you discuss herpes.

Preparing what to say in advance may help when introducing the subject. You may wish to use one of the following approaches:

1: Highlight the strengths of your relationship. You can begin by saying "I really enjoy being with you and feel I can trust you with something very personal. I'd like to be intimate with you, but first, you need to know I have genital herpes" or

2: Emphasise that you are concerned about sexually transmitted diseases and how people can spread disease without knowing it. You don't want to pass on the virus to your partner, nor do you want to get another sexually transmitted disease. You might say, "Safer sex is really important to me. I've had unprotected sex in the past and it gave me genital herpes. I want to reduce the chance of spreading it to you".

Once you have discussed genital herpes with your sexual partner, you may offer some printed information so he or she can find answers to any further questions that may arise. You may also consider offering to arrange a meeting with a counsellor at a Sexual Health/STD centre.

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