Contagion question

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whatever2089 - 10 Jul 2003 00:46 GMT

Okay...First post here, have yet to find the information I'm looking
for on the 'net, so thought I'd come to the experts.

1 day ago (last night to be exact) I was fooling around with someone.
Now before I go into it, I have a rule, no touching your own with a
hand that has touched someone else's and no rubbing of genital
together. Usually I follow this rule pretty closely. I also make
myself and said partner wash hands before any amorous activity.

That being said...Whilst in the middle of getting down, I notice scabs
on his item, and question about it. He claims to have had a zipper
accident, which while I guess it is possible, it doesnt account for
how long the scabbed area is. Add that to the fact that he was very
slightly nervous (that I noticed) and wanted me to turn off the
lights. I'm by nature a suspicious person so that set off some bells.

That being said, I never touched mine after touching his. As far as I
can remember he didnt get a hand on me after touching his own (I made
him switch hands when he did touch me) But, I cant be 100% sure he
didnt make contact with himself, then me. Nor am I sure how
thoroughly he soaped when I had him wash his hands.

So the questions. How contagious are the scabs themselves if they're
not broken off to reveal the skin beneath? And how effective is soap
(any kind of soap, I have dishsoap but it all works the same) at
killing the herpes virus?

At any rate, though I concede it is possible it was a zipper accident
as he claimed, I have a good deal of doubt, as it more looks like he
is recovering from an outbreak. Plus I have a sense for when people
are lying. What pisses me off is the fact that if he had been honest
with me, it wouldn't have changed a damn thing. I would have dated
him anyway, just held off on the sex for awhile. Now because of it
I'm thrust into a period of uncertainty. I mean f.ck, how can you not
be truthful about something like this?

Sex is more trouble than its worth for 22 year olds.

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M2slo2cht@Yahoo.com - 10 Jul 2003 12:26 GMT

>So the questions. How contagious are the scabs themselves if they're
>not broken off to reveal the skin beneath?

Herpes is at it's most contagious during an outbreak. Virus can
accumulate on the skin around the genitals and in the pubic hair.
There's no guarantee of a transfer duing an outbreak, but sex during
that time isn't a good idea.

>And how effective is soap
>(any kind of soap, I have dishsoap but it all works the same) at
>killing the herpes virus?

It's very effective at killing the virus on the surface but, during an
outbreak, new virus is continually being shed from the skin so the
virus that's washed off and/or killed is continually being replaced.

>Sex is more trouble than its worth for 22 year olds.

You haven't mentioned whether or not this is homosexual or not. I'm
just guessing at it from the content and your name. But if there was
no penetration involved, or oral sex, your risk is lower. HSV has a
tough time penetrating normal skin (on hands for example) unless
there's a cut or abrasion or some other sort of break to let it
through. That's assuming a normal immune system. It CAN happen though,
so be aware of the risk. But HSV has a much easier time getting
through the thin mucosal skin of the genitals and lips.

As far as oral sex, type matters. Although there's no guarantee type 2
won't transfer, there's a lower risk of it transfering from genitals
to mouth than type 1. Problem is, you can't determine type by
location or just by looking at it. An accurate test is the only way to
tell.

Best idea, no sex during outbreaks. During latency use suppression,
condoms, and soap/water.

M2

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