TOPIC: Is it safe for a guy to have sex with a woman with HSV-2

As for HPV, anyone under 30 who is reading this forum should make an appointment to see their internist and get Gardasil, the HPV vaccine. Even though that's later than the recommended inoculation (ideally you'd get it as a kid before being sexually active), there are lots of anecdotal reports from physicians that it has some therapeutic value (i.e., helps your body clear HPV faster/better even if you already have it) in addition to its well documented prophylactic value. Genital warts are not cute . . . and unlike herpes, they don't go away after 2-3 days with some pills . . . they require a procedure, and sometimes surgery, to get removed. Also, condoms are largely irrelevant to HPV (and really HSV too) oral and frottage are just as risky for transmission.

Coming from someone who has slept with someone with hsv-2. If she has it and you sleep with her you'll likely get it even if there isn't an outbreak. My partner never had one but I got it from her. I've never had an outbreak but got tested a year later and had it. It's not the end of the world but it's a choice you have to make knowing you'll likely get it if you don't use protection.

You guys do realize that condoms provide limited protection against herpes because the virus can live on the outside of condoms. Also the outbreak can be anywhere on the body, not just the genitals. Also, herpes can be transferred even when a outbreak is not present; its called shedding.