Just posting for general information and thought some of the punters would like to know and maybe contribute their experiences and advice.

Reading much more than I ever wanted to know about this subject I come up with the following information:

It seems that that the great majority (over 50%) of sex workers (WG's) , have one if not both types of Herpes.
It is far more common than any other type of STD as a large percentage of the people in the world have one type or the other.
If the person already has Type 1, it is more difficult for them to catch Type 2.
Male to female transmission is easier than female to male.
Condoms only provide partial protection, as any skin to skin or fluid contact can pass it.
Once you have it, it is forever! (But there are some supposed cures out there? Anyone with info on this, please weigh in).
Most of the people who have it don't know and have few, if any signs. The only way to tell is the breakout of sores around the mouth, lips (usually type 1) , or genital area (usually type 2).
One type of test is the iGG test that differentiates the two types of Herpes. Another is the Western Blot test that may be more accurate.
It can be most easily passed on when sores are present, but can still be passed on at a reduced rate, even when they are not.
(As most people don't know they have it, it might seem that everyone should have it.) While it is not quite a non issue, it borders on it.
There are a couple medications that may eliminate (?) , reduce or shorten the outbreaks of sores. But very little info on the effect of transmission with these drugs.
(Question begs-if you have had no visible signs ever, what is the transmission rate and will the drugs do anything?)
The longer you have the Herpes Virus in your system, the more antibodies build up and the frequency and severity of the outbreaks of sores decreases. (Does it ever go to zero?)
The transmission rates of the various types of sexual activities is not very well documented. IE: Genital to Genital, Oral Male to Female Genital, Female Oral to Male Genital, DFK, Etc, Etc.
(And then of course the question of visible signs or not visible, or never had signs, and on and on comes into play).
I cannot find anything suggesting that the virus is in your saliva if no signs are visible and perhaps never have been.
Last thing: It seems some vaccines are being developed for prevention and cure but I have no real information on these other than some hints gleaned for the web. Anybody has information, weigh in please. Yes there is one for young women and cancer of a certain type related to Herpes but that doesn't do anything for the rest of the population.
One thing I couldn't find, are the virus's present in your sperm? And if so when?

Anyone one else with information, please contribute to this thread. Mrclen

[ Last edited by  mrclen at 9-1-2014 03:29 ]

Herpes 1&2 are the only diseases that give me real pause for this activity. Herpes is fucking horrible and carries the worst stigma--you're almost guaranteed a life of bachelorhood if you get it.

Have any Bro's here caught Herpes 1 or 2 since they began mongering? Did you have HSV 1 or 2 already before mongering? Tell us your story...

I know that for myself, I was 100% HSV 1 and 2 clear prior to being with my first prostitute a little over a year ago, I was clinically tested clean, and since then I've been with dozens of whores and so far I have not had any 'outbreaks' ... that is no indication I am clean however, only that I haven't had any outbreaks--I haven't been officially tested.

If over 50% of sex workers have HSV 2 I'd stop this now.... that's extremely high risk.

[ Last edited by  MONGERLOID at 9-1-2014 21:02 ]

The numbers I come up with are actually >65% are infected.  There is no way to know if you are infected unless you have an outbreak or get a blood test.  As most have this, it is not the end of the world.  Just be safe as possible.  Do you DATY or get a BBBJ.  Either way there is risk.  If you want to get more info, there is a great thread on one of the other forums, but if I post it I may get kicked out of this one.  If you can PM me I'll send it to you.  There are also some cures and vaccines being tested now and a "cure" may be possible in the near future.  Check out ACAM-529 on the web.

[ Last edited by  mrclen at 10-1-2014 04:14 ]

The numbers I come up with are actually >65% are infected.  There is no way to know if you are infected unless you have an outbreak or get a blood test.  As most have this, it is not the end of the world.  Just be safe as possible.  Do you DATY or get a BBBJ.  Either way there is risk.  If you want to get more info, there is a great thread on one of the other forums, but if I post it I may get kicked out of this one.  If you can PM me I'll send it to you.  There are also some cures and vaccines being tested now and a "cure" may be possible in the near future.

Yeah, all the data I've read reach similar results.  A recent one I read said 50% of the US adult population has one of the (many) strains of herpes (there are more than just 2 types).

Mongoloid -- it is not nearly as serious as you seem to think it is (especially for men).  Most people (men and women) with herpes have zero symptoms and suffer zero consequences.  So what, exactly, is the big deal?  It is somewhat worse for women where, for example, genital warts (another form of herpes) can lead to some cancers..., but this is also rare.

In any case, a virus that has become so widespread in the general population, yet is typically just a mild annoyance for 95% of sufferers is not something that will stop me from chasing women -- WGs or Civvies.

HPV is not HSV.  But don't take my word for it.  http://consults.blogs.nytimes.co ... ted-to-herpes/?_r=0

HSV related viruses are all the nasty blistering stuff. Common cold sores, chickenpox, herpes. The virus lays dormant around your nerve cells which is why flare ups can become painful. The worst example of this by far being shingles. There is some evidence to show MS is caused by the body's reaction to a herpes-related virus.

HPV are all the nasty warty things. Common warts, genital warts. While they can sometimes go away on their own they don't come and go with flareups the way HSV does.

HSV (Herpes) and HPV (Warts) -- two different things. The two are easily confused sometimes due to the HPV/HSV nomenclature, but they are separate and not related. If they share a commonality it's easy transmission, both spread very easily through simple skin-to-skin contact, the type of contact a condom does not fully prevent (does not fully cover genitals/pelvis/buttocks area.

Back to topic:

It's somewhat ironic that the last concern most of us have is HIV/AIDS, the worst disease of all, because unless you penetrate bare back or have a condom break (rare) it basically eliminates HIV from the equation. It is still medically possible to receive AIDS/HIV from oral sex, but is rare. And again, that's assuming you BBBJ--if you use a condom for BJ and FS you practically bring the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission to near zero.

Herpes (HSV) however, is so different because it's easily transmittable. The problem is that even if a person is not showing an outbreak they can still be shedding herpes cells--and skin-to-skin contact is all it takes to transmit.

This is why Herpes infection is as high as it is.   

I swap minimal fluids to eliminate possibility of transmission of most things. No kissing. Not DATY (not into this anyway). I occasionally do BBBJ which puts me at higher risk for both HSV 1 and 2.... and of course the risk that comes standard FS with a condom.

I definitely notice when someone has a giant cold sore on their mouth. Embarrassing as hell for that person, more than a mild annoyance. That's just HSV 1.

HSV 1&2 is fairly prevalent, you're right about that. In the US the rate is so high because the rate among blacks alone is 75%. Extremely high. But anyway, imagine beginning a conversation with a new girlfriend explaining, "Hey, you don't mind that I have genital herpes do you?"

For me at least, I'd expect to be single for life after that... after herpes mongering is not a choice, it's your only option. It's as bad as having HIV at that point--no one will touch you.

[ Last edited by  MONGERLOID at 10-1-2014 16:23 ]

You have a strangely black-and-white view of the world.  

With greater than 50% of the population having it I hope you can perceive that, mathematically, your belief that a person with herpes will be "single for life" is blatantly, obviously, exceedingly wrong.  Most of them, statistically, are in long-term relationships and have (or will have) kids.  If you have kissed 2 women, than you have most likely been in skin-and-fluid-contact with a woman with HSV or HPV.  If you can't handle these risks you best stop seeking any form of physical relationship at all.  Plan for an arranged marriage and have her tested before the first kiss.

Also, most people with herpes or HPV dont know they have it - much less actually suffer from it.  Comparing it with HIV/AIDS in any possible way is just silly.  Those that DO know they have it tend to have fewer and milder outbreaks each year -- until visible symptoms all-but vanish.

I agree the stigma still exists, but now that it is so widespread (and typically all-but-harmless - a cold-sore??? OMG, call the undertaker, the CDC!) I have little doubt the stigma will remain much longer (50% of people would have to be stigmatizing themselves -- which is not a common human trait).

Admittedly, I do have an extreme "black or white" view of most things, totally valid criticism there. But it's warranted in my opinion, here at least, in this instance.

Basically, if you distill everything down, it becomes an equation of how high the SOCIAL COST of herpes is to you, and while this is no doubt different for everyone, most have much to lose socially and therefore the cost is unforgivingly too high. For most, it's the SOCIAL COST that is the worst and most frightening aspect, while the physical cost is terrible too... but is secondary to the SOCIAL COST.

The social cost of herpes is equal to that of HIV/AIDS, whereas the physical cost is obviously not anywhere as bad (but still pretty bad).

Will be interesting to know if anyone has acquired herpes since mongering (or have/had herpes pre mongering). Do you BBBJ? Do you DATY? Tell us your story.

Have you actually ever been with a woman, Mongo?  Or maybe a man?  You ever had sex?

Why don't you tell us some of your stories?  Or even just one?

I am not sure if we've ever seen a report from you.  Just lots and lots of questions.

Are you a reporter?  A grad student doing a thesis?  Or just a stupid twelve-year-old?

I do recall you consider our WGs mere "meatholes" (as I think you phrased it in a different post).  

What's up with you?

PS:  ahhhhh, I got it!  You've recently contracted Herpes and are wondering how to deal with it.  Right?  Listen Bro...., I am sorry..., but it is all over for you sexually. You CAN'T have sex again.  It is illegal.  Don't try to sneak it.... The Herpes Police ALWAYS get their perp!sad Bro...  But I assume you still have two good hands and some lotion... So you're still golden!  

Cheers.

[ Last edited by  wander at 11-1-2014 15:27 ]

I'm writing this because worrying about HSV2 ("genital Herpes") is something that most of us do at some point.

I am a punter. I have received many BBBJ and done many DATY. I accept that there is risk in this behavior, including the risk of contracting bacterial diseases, as well as some viral diseases such as HSV2 and HPV. I have decided that this risk is low enough to be acceptable for me, but I understand and support others who feel that, for them, the risk is unacceptable. There is plenty of information on the Internet from authoritative sources, concerning what actions result in protection against these diseases. I encourage anyone worried about STDs to consult authoritative sources. But I can tell you that only abstinence can ensure that you won't catch anything, and only fasting can ensure you won't get food poisoning. Shaking hands is completely out of the question if one wants guarantees against catching a cold.

So, what happens if you catch something? In all my years of punting, I have never had to deal with this issue, since I have never caught anything. But everyone who catches something catches it from one encounter, and the next one could be mine. Or yours.

If I caught something bacterial, it seems that antibiotics are available, much as if one caught strep throat.

If I caught something viral, either it will work its way through my system and never trouble me again (some hep does this), or it will be with me for life. A large proportion of the population has either HSV1 or HSV2, and lives with it for the rest of their life. Since it is asymptomatic for most people, many of them don't even know they have it. If I had it, I would know, because I have myself tested at least annually.

I know someone who suffers from HSV2. He takes pills every day to avoid an outbreak, much as one would take a blood pressure pill. He never has outbreaks. He was single when he got it, and is now married. His wife is fully aware of the situation, and they have several children. His life was not over because he had Herpes. I cannot be sure, but I suspect that if he had HIV, the situation might be very different. I cannot accept that the "social cost" of HSV is equivalent to HIV.

At any rate, we all have a lot to learn, as does humanity in general, about these diseases. There are new vaccines being developed, such as the one for HPV, so keep checking the authoritative sources for information on what might happen to you, and what you can do to avoid or treat those things.

Gherk

Lets end this.   This forum's rubbish dump has many of these STI threads.  The message is always the same.  Consult your health care professional for health information.