Herpes Pt 3: How to talk about it with a partner - Play Safe

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Find the right STI testing service for you

What is STI testing? STI testing is the process of running medical tests to check for any sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is quick, easy, and confidential. Most STI tests only require a blood test and either a self-collected swab or a urine sample. Why is STI testing important? […]

National Condom Day

It’s Valentine’s Day National Condom Day! It’s no coincidence that Valentine’s Day and National Condom Day fall on the same day… but in terms of which one we’re celebrating, well, that’s a no brainer. Here at Play Safe, we’ll take any excuse to celebrate condoms, but today, on National Condom […]

What is World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day Ever wondered why you see red ribbons everywhere in early December? Well, it’s because of World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day takes place on the 1st of December each year and is all about showing support for people living with HIV, raising awareness about HIV prevention, testing […]

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Talking about herpes can be hard. Stigma exists. But it’s important to let any new sexual partners know if you’ve been diagnosed with herpes. This allows people to make informed decisions for themselves. The more we talk about herpes openly, the less power that stigma has. Here are my tips for how do that:

Before bringing up herpes with a new partner, remind yourself of the facts (see Herpes Pt 1).
Choose a private moment and be confident. How you present the information can have a big impact on how people feel about it. You’re not making a confession; you haven’t done anything wrong! You’re letting them know you have a common, usually mild, skin infection.
Don’t forget that there’s a pretty good chance the person you’re talking to already has herpes (even if they don’t know it!). Preventing transmission goes both ways. If you only have one type, you can still get the other.
Let your partner know where to find accurate information about herpes if they need time to do their own research. Refer them here or to www.herpes.org.nz or suggest they call the NSW Sexual Health Infolink for more information.

Also check out

Herpes Pt 1: Everything you need to know
Herpes Pt 2: How to avoid passing it on

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