Re: Abstinence and Genital Herpes
Posted on Tuesday, July 3rd, 2007 at 9:54 AMOn Sunday July 1, 2007 I found this little blog posting called: Abstinence and Genital Herpes
The first paragraph starts out with: “Abstinence is the only guaranteed method to prevent the transmission of genital herpes.”
I have to tell ya, I don’t believe that abstinence alone without all of the facts actually works. How do you even begin to tell that to the person who saved themselves until marriage only to have their spouse bring herpes home via an extramarital affair?
I have never heard of any couple “refrain from sexual relations because they don’t want to transmit herpes to their partners”, have you? Oh sure I have had couples ask what they can do to further protect their partners but none that I have ever met that have avoided sex all together.
Most couples that I run into are completely devoted to one another. Other couples are willing to learn about herpes and to make a date to go and get tested so that they can find out their status, together, as a couple.
Because contrary to what “most” might think herpes doesn’t always present itself with signs OR symptoms and since herpes testing isn’t included in the routine STD testing process, it’s kind of difficult for people to “think” they know their own status.
For the record, my herpes status has never been an issue for me and my husband. In fact, my husband is pretty clear about the fact that he loves me for me and could care less that I have herpes.
You did not continue to read the article you refer to. That article continues by stating:
Yet, if avoiding sex during outbreaks of genital herpes was really the best method to prevent getting herpes, then why do so many people have genital herpes?
The article then goes on to explain many of the ways we can prevent herpes without complete abstinence…
Respectfully,
XLPharmacy Canada
What part of my post were you not satisfied with?
It is not that we dislike any part of your article, in fact the more information on Herpes the better.
Maybe we read it differently then you intended it to be read, but it would seem the whole article dismisses our article and that we state abstinence is the only way to prevent herpes…when we all in fact know that this is not going to ever happen (no one wants to avoid sex altogether)…so in light of that, what can we do to protect our partners?
Our article does go on and state some of the things we can do to protect those we love from contracting herpes. Thank you for letting us comment.
I don’t mind you guys commenting at all. I just think that there is more to the picture than just abstinence. In my opinion, I think the best formula for prevention is this:
Talking + Testing + Suppressive Therapy + Condoms = Pretty Darn Good Protection
Wouldn’t you agree?
We definitly agree. Thank you for helping to spread good information on Herpes. There are a great deal of ways to help the spread of herpes!
I’ve been online helping people with herpes since 1997 in various ways.
Thank you for the vote of confidence!
I am so thankful for finding your website!
Hi Natalie!! Why is that?