# Damit don't have unprotected sex if you know you have Herpes!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 2, 2005, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520 "2005-06-02T07:50:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/41 "2005-06-02T17:51:46Z")
Dangit hit the wrong button, Anyways, You may not think its that big of a deal but it certainly looks like it is to me. What she is doing is inexcusable, she should not knowingly expose her partners to diseases unless he agrees. Saying something to the effect of “whats the big deal its just Herpes” is wrong and serves to lessen her crime. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/42 "2005-06-02T17:52:10Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Sociopathic, my ass. It’s just herpes. It’s nothing. Those guys probably already had it anyway. Most sexually active young people have it these days. Even if you don’t, you should assume that anyone you have sex with does. It really isn’t anything to get outraged about. Get some perspective, for fuck’s sake. And here we see the inevitable spot in the debate where **Diogenes** , upon facing others’ disagreement, melts down and starts lying. “Most sexually active young people have it these days” contradicts the statement of the doctor/microbiologist above you (who wrote a thesis on herpes.) I think it’s safe to say you’re making shit up at this point. Even the most generous estimates I’ve heard of its prevalence in sexually active young people in urban areas don’t claim that a majority of people have the disease. Since you’ve already argued that it’s humiliating to have to tell someone about the disease, don’t turn around and then say, “It’s nothing.” Genital herpes may not be that big of a deal, but if these guys are more responsible than this worthless bitch, they’ll have to tell every sex partner in the future that they have it (and since condoms don’t eliminate the risk of transmission, just using a condom is not a replacement for divulgence.) > [@inkleberry](#): > > Hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but herpes is passed via skin contact, and condoms are ineffective. So, I must add, is HPV. Wrong. As has _already been thoroughly explained with citations in this very thread_ (can you people _please_ stop spreading misinformation when the resources to learn the truth are available with a simple upwards flick of the scroll wheel? What the fuck is that? Why would you do that?), condoms _reduce_ but do not _eliminate_ the risk of transmission. Strictly speaking, that’s true of all STDs (except maybe crabs. Do they count? How come no one ever talks about the crabs anymore?) since condom failure rates are nonzero. Given that, it’s your responsibility to tell your sex partners if you’ve got an STD no matter what. It won’t chase away all your partners, and for the love of God, people have the right to make informed decisions about who they’re sleeping with. As **Diogenes** has thoroughly proven, you can’t count on a partner to do so because they may self-righteously claim that you’re asking for it by having unprotected sex - but the fact that completely immoral behavior is common doesn’t mean it’s okay. > [@inkleberry](#): > > Herpes is really not the be all and end all of horibleness you may have been led to believe. Yes, for many people it is a pain in the ass, but that’s it. It’s not going to kill you. Ever had a cold sore? That’s herpes. Gential herpes is simply cold sores on your nether-reigons. No more, no less. Firstly, as the posts in this thread indicate, most people already know that. Deliberately infecting someone else with a disease is not okay just because it’s not a bad disease. What sort of reasoning is that? It’s okay to steal a candy bar because at least it’s not a car? Sure, it’s a lesser crime than passing AIDS, but that doesn’t mean it’s somehow acceptable. Secondly, no, cold sores are not the same as genital herpes. Cold sores are Herpes Simplex type I while genital herpes is Herpes Simplex type II. (At least ordinarily speaking. Of course oral-genital transmission results in occasional cases in which one is spread to the other part of the body.) Secondly, _I’m_ not infected to my knowledge with cold sores. Infection with type I is not universal, just common. I’m happily herpes-free, and I intend to keep the streak alive if I can. > [@inkleberry](#): > > It can be very well supressed by antiviral medications. I know several people on the antivirals who haven’t had outbreaks in years or passed it to anyone else. True, but the risk of spreading it, even when not experiencing an outbreak, and even when on antivirals, is merely small, not non-existent. It’s documented to happen, and medical advice is quite clear that it is transmissible even when it’s not visible. So it’s still not okay to do so, even if you’re not broken out. > [@inkleberry](#): > > So let’s stop the freaking out. It only makes people who have it more ashamed than they already are. It isn’t a _terrible_ or _slutty_ thing to have happen to you, it’s an _adult_ thing to have happen. And your attitude isn’t helping anyone. Excuse me? You’ve got straw in your hair, ma’am. No one said _any_ of the things you’re so eloquently countering. Most folks here have indicated a reasonable degree of familiarity with the consequences of genital herpes. And no one has called her a “slut” for having it. She’s a slut because she won’t make the adult decision here - either be honest with your partners, or keep your legs shut. Being a pathetic, childish bitch who is willing to pass her disease on to others is what makes her a slut. Having it in the first place is just unfortunate. And I have two fairly good friends with the disease, and they are both responsible about it, so I know it can be done. This girl is just a complete bitch who puts her immediate desire to sleep with someone ahead of his health. The fact that it’s not a _bad_ disease does not mean it’s okay to pass it on to others. I don’t get your attitude here. I’m _all_ for working to reverse the stigma attached to herpes. It’s not a terrible disease, it’s relatively common, and so on. That does not mean, however, that it’s okay to give it to others. People have the right to make informed decisions and take informed risks with their bodies. Part of that is having honest sexual partners. Obviously, like I said, you can’t count on that - there’s plenty of folks willing to excuse blatant dishonesty - and that’s why you should use protection regardless. But sex is _always_ a risk, and like all risks, we roughly quantify it and then decide whether or not to do it. That process breaks down when someone decides to lie about what’s growing between their legs. It’s bad reasoning to argue that since someone knowingly undertook risk of a certain negative outcome, or a certain amount of risk, that they therefore consented to a much worse risk as well. That just doesn’t stand up to reason, and it’s limiting everyone’s freedom in the end if we all decide to treat matters like this as a free-for-all. Once it becomes all-or-nothing - either you get your partner tested and wear a condom, or else you have no right to get upset when you get diseases - then a person who is comfortable somewhere in the middle can no longer engage in whatever level of behavior, undertaking whatever risk they choose. I shouldn’t have to be Mother Theresa in order to avoid STDs, and people need to be honest with their partners. All this talk about how herpes isn’t that bad is _completely irrelevant_ because you don’t get to make decisions about what risks someone else should be willing to take. If your partner is willing to risk contracting herpes and wants to bareback, and you’re okay with that, then fine. If they decide to use a condom because of it, that’s they’re right. Same if they decide not to do it at all. _It’s not your decision, it’s theirs._ People make decisions for themselves, and it’s fucking twisted to try to diminish what this bitch did by saying it wasn’t that bad. It’s his health, his body, and his sex life - therefore it’s his decision. **inkleberry** , I like and respect you, and I absolutely agree that herpes should be regarded as a fairly common and basically benign condition. To my knowledge, it’s not strongly associated with any health consequence worse than sores on the junk. I agree that it’s not that bad. I simply strongly feel that those who _don’t_ share my opinion on it also have the right to make whatever decision is compatible with their beliefs in that regard. And I bet I’m not the only one who suspects that certain among this cunt’s defenders would be arguing the opposite if the sexes were reversed. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/43 "2005-06-02T17:52:18Z")
> [@inkleberry](#): > > Ever had a cold sore? That’s herpes. Gential herpes is simply cold sores on your nether-reigons. No more, no less. Is that all? Well, sign me up, then! Look, if I’m sleeping with someone who can potentiallly condemn me to a life of periodic outbreaks of painful sores on my genitals, I expect to be informed. Condoms help reduce the risk – at the very least, there’s got to be a jimmy in play. Honesty is better. > [@](#): > > So let’s stop the freaking out. It only makes people who have it more ashamed than they already are. The only thing shameful is a cavelier attitude toward other people’s health. It shouldn’t be that hard to broach the subject. “Woot! Let’s go bareback!” “Uh, you should know – I have herpes, but it’s in remission.” a. “Let’s leave it wrapped up then.” b. “No worries, a little Zovirax is all the protection we need.” c. “Aw, honey, I don’t care. It’s only genital blisters, I’ll take that chance to be closer to you.” d. “I’m not that serious about you and the risk of contracting herpes is more than I’m willing to take for a bit of nookie with you. Later.” Keeping that information to yourself and having unprotected sex is outrageously irresponsible behaviour. And yes, selfish and shameful. ---
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/44 "2005-06-02T17:53:17Z")
> [@treis](#): > > Call me crazy but I’d rather not have sores on my penis or take antiviral medication for an indefinate amount of time. Then I would suggest never ever fucking anyone, washing your hands VERY well after contact with any other human, and masturbating using gloves. Also, avoid saunas. Otherwise, you’re playing the ponies, like everyone else. Oh, and did I mention it may well be too late? Those buggers can stay silent for years and years- over 10 isn’t unheard of. I would suggest getting on the vaccine bandwagon to get more funding and research into vaccines for HPV and Herpes. ---
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/45 "2005-06-02T17:56:34Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > Is that all? Well, sign me up, then! > > Look, if I’m sleeping with someone who can potentiallly condemn me to a life of periodic outbreaks of painful sores on my genitals, I expect to be informed. Condoms help reduce the risk – at the very least, there’s got to be a jimmy in play. Honesty is better.The only thing shameful is a cavelier attitude toward other people’s health. It shouldn’t be that hard to broach the subject. > > “Woot! Let’s go bareback!” > > “Uh, you should know – I have herpes, but it’s in remission.” > > a. “Let’s leave it wrapped up then.” > b. “No worries, a little Zovirax is all the protection we need.” > c. “Aw, honey, I don’t care. It’s only genital blisters, I’ll take that chance to be closer to you.” > d. “I’m not that serious about you and the risk of contracting herpes is more than I’m willing to take for a bit of nookie with you. Later.” > > Keeping that information to yourself and having unprotected sex is outrageously irresponsible behaviour. And yes, selfish and shameful. I’m not suggesting any of these things. Condoms won’t really help, but will protect you fairly well against other STDs, HIV, and pregnancy. So use them. Meanwhile, I CLEARLY stated you should tell partners if you know you are infected. But you can get it from anyone, even your momma, so drop the fear and get educated about the real odds, the real treatments, and stop running around like scared chickens. Because that’s NOT an adult attitude towards sex, either. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/46 "2005-06-02T18:12:32Z")
Word. ---
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/47 "2005-06-02T18:13:57Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Word. To your mother. I will stop channeling vanilla ice now. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/48 "2005-06-02T18:14:45Z")
> [@inkleberry](#): > > I’m not suggesting any of these things. Condoms won’t really help, but will protect you fairly well against other STDs, HIV, and pregnancy. So use them. Condoms _do_ reduce the risk of transmission. It’s just plain inaccurate to claim that they have no effect. That’s very black-and-white thinking. Not having sex is zero risk, having unprotected sex is a substantial risk, and having sex with a condom on is somewhere in the middle. I really don’t think spreading misinformation helps matters any. ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/49 "2005-06-02T18:18:07Z")
> [@inkleberry](#): > > Then I would suggest never ever fucking anyone, washing your hands VERY well after contact with any other human, and masturbating using gloves. Also, avoid saunas. > > Otherwise, you’re playing the ponies, like everyone else. > > Oh, and did I mention it may well be too late? Those buggers can stay silent for years and years- over 10 isn’t unheard of. > > I would suggest getting on the vaccine bandwagon to get more funding and research into vaccines for HPV and Herpes. Or I can not have sex with people carrying the gential Herpes virus or I can at least use protection. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/50 "2005-06-02T18:19:45Z")
> [@Diogenes](#): > > And if a guy “doesn’t want to use a condom” during an episode of casual sex, he is assuming a risk and has only himself to blame for anything he gets. > [@Diogenes](#): > > > [@Excalibre](#): > > > > Everyone should take steps to protect themselves - that’s not up for debate. But to act like that removes culpability from others? > > When have I said otherwise? In your very first post in the thread, you said otherwise. The person who knowingly passed on the disease deserves blame. You also did a lot to justify what she did - but I don’t think “feeling embarrassed” is a legitimate excuse to take risks with another’s health. Your justification certainly implied that you were excusing her. ---
**Author:** ![Orual](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orual](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orual)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/51 "2005-06-02T19:07:40Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Once again, yes the woman should have told them, but it’s not like their lives would be destroyed by HSV. They probably already had it anyway. Why are you ignoring the fact that Herpes-I (cold sores, which almost everyone has) and Herpes-II (the genital kind) are _not_ the same, and most of the population is _not_ infected with the latter? Haven’t you read **Jackmannii’s** posts? ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/52 "2005-06-02T19:10:51Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > The flaw in your logic is that the acquistion of a herpes virus does not remotely have the same impact on a person’s life as an unwanted pregnancy. Nothing has the same impact on your life as the acquisition of a herpes virus, whether it be good or bad, it is what it is. I was just trying to show how your ‘decision’ making when it comes to sex isn’t very fair. > [@](#): > > Once again, yes the woman should have told them, but it’s not like their lives would be destroyed by HSV. They probably already had it anyway. Or probably not. ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/53 "2005-06-02T19:27:25Z")
I get the point that herpes isn’t really that big of a deal. I know because I have it. But I don’t think that changes the fact that what this girl is doing is unspeakably horrible, dangerous and selfish. I have had herpes for almost ten years. I have bitten the bullet and told anyone I thought I might have sexual contact with. There is no bigger mood killer than saying, “Um, before we go any further there’s something I have to tell you…” but dammit, you do it anyway because its the right thing to do. This girl is despicable. It doesn’t matter whether herpes is a horrible disease or a mere nuisance. It doesn’t change the fact that what she is doing is wrong. Personally I couldn’t live with myself if I did what she is doing. I get to look in the mirror every day and say to myself that I am a good and respectable and trustworthy person. I would hate to feel otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/54 "2005-06-02T19:30:54Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Sociopathic, my ass. It’s just herpes. It’s nothing. Those guys probably already had it anyway. Most sexually active young people have it these days. Even if you don’t, you should assume that anyone you have sex with does. It really isn’t anything to get outraged about. Get some perspective, for fuck’s sake. Alright dude, you need to stop with the “it’s nothing.” Herpes affects people differently. For some, it is indeed nothing. For others, it’s a very big deal. It affects some people emotionally as well as physically and for some people it’s much more physically painful than for others. Trust me. I contrated herpes from a partner who had assumed the virus couldn’t be transmitted absent an outbreak. He was wrong. He finally owned up to the fact that he had it about 3 months after we started sleeping together. By then it was too late. He didn’t have an outbreak that entire time so he didn’t feel the need to tell me. I still got it. Outbreaks for me are extremely painful (I could barely walk at one point during my first one) and affect me emotionally, to the point where I can barely stand myself. Basically, PMS on steroids. (and no, it’s not psycho-sematic, I get the emotional symptoms before the physical symptoms even appear). So put the broad brush away and stop with the “herpes is nothing.” For many people it is indeed something. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/55 "2005-06-02T19:37:53Z")
> [@lezlers](#): > > So put the broad brush away and stop with the “herpes is nothing.” For many people it is indeed something. Naw, you almost certainly had it before you had sex with him. \ I have to say that I had no idea it could be as bad as you’re describing, **lezlers**. Thank you for offering some helpful information. Likewise, thank you to **Ghanima** for demonstrating that there are plenty of folks with herpes who may be embarrassed by it but nevertheless don’t use it as an excuse. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/56 "2005-06-02T19:54:48Z")
“Pschosomatic” symptoms are physical symptoms influenced by a psychological factor, not emotional symptoms influenced by physiological factors. Any emotional reation to herpes is individualistic and not physiological in the sense that the virus affects hormones or anything like that. The emotions are not a “symptom” in themselves. The physiological effects of herpes are minimal and non-fatal. The emotional effects have to do with indivudual psychology and are not a direct physiological manifestation of the infection. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/57 "2005-06-02T19:56:46Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > “Pschosomatic” symptoms are physical symptoms influenced by a psychological factor, not emotional symptoms influenced by physiological factors. Any emotional reation to herpes is individualistic and not physiological in the sense that the virus affects hormones or anything like that. The emotions are not a “symptom” in themselves. > > The physiological effects of herpes are minimal and non-fatal. The emotional effects have to do with indivudual psychology and are not a direct physiological manifestation of the infection. You’re not actually reading anything anyone else is posting in this thread, are you? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/58 "2005-06-02T20:02:25Z")
> [@Orual](#): > > Why are you ignoring the fact that Herpes-I (cold sores, which almost everyone has) and Herpes-II (the genital kind) are _not_ the same, and most of the population is _not_ infected with the latter? Haven’t you read **Jackmannii’s** posts? When I said those guys probably had it, I meant they probably had it if it was their normal practice to have unprotected sex with strangers. See **inkleberry’s** statistics. The difference is symptons is just that you get occasional outbreaks on your genitals instead of your mouth, but it’s still only fever blisters. They’re not going to kill you and the outbreaks tend subside with time. Some people never get them at all. Let’s not exaggerate what is really nothing more than a minor nuisance. Hell, psoriasis is worse than herpes. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/59 "2005-06-02T20:03:41Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > You’re not actually reading anything anyone else is posting in this thread, are you? What have I missed? ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520/60 "2005-06-02T20:07:07Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > When I said those guys probably had it, I meant they probably had it if it was their normal practice to have unprotected sex with strangers. See **inkleberry’s** statistics. Uh, did _you_ see them? 1 in 7 counts as “probably has it”? > [@Diogenes](#): > > The difference is symptons is just that you get occasional outbreaks on your genitals instead of your mouth, but it’s still only fever blisters. They’re not going to kill you and the outbreaks tend subside with time. Some people never get them at all. Let’s not exaggerate what is really nothing more than a minor nuisance. Hell, psoriasis is worse than herpes. Did you bother to read **lezlers** ’ post? Or are you just _so_ convinced that you’re right that other people’s experiences are automatically wrong? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damit-dont-have-unprotected-sex-if-you-know-you-have-herpes/306520.md?page=4)