Q:
My girlfriend recently told me that she has vaginal herpes and that she has gotten it before, when she was very sick. As it turns out she is very sick right now and informed me that she had an outbreak again and is being treated. I am wondering if all herpes are STI's? Plus I know for a fact that she is a virgin so how could she have gotten it in the first place? And finally if we do become sexually active am I most likely going to get herpes too?
A:
Herpes virus can be transmitted to the genital area from non-penetrating contact from an infected lesion, whether that is from oral contact (most common transmission of type 1 oral herpes virus), finger or external genital contact. So technically a "virgin" can still have an STD without having full intercourse.
You can be tested to see if you have antibodies to the same herpes virus she has, presuming she knows what type she has, but you still could be infected in the genital area although your previous herpes may be oral. There are medications that can reduce her risk of infecting you if you become sexually active, and condoms, though not 100% protective, can help reduce the risk of virus transmission.
~The Doc
