People who test regularly are very much in the minority (IMHO). I know of only one couple out of a dozen friends who actually tested and it was only the wife who went in to get tested. Based on my experience and observations, I tend to believe the CDC statistics.

Stats from our monthly H support group meeting via the CDC: One in 5 sexually active adults have HSV2 genitally - 85% do not know it because they have no symptoms and as it's been mentioned, you have to basically demand HSV be tested to get it done during the supposed "full" std panel. Never been tested for HSV...? You can add a 4th D to your DDD....Doudtful. :-)

i too completely agree with you triplejackinga! That "we get tested for everything" bologna is annoying because most people aren't as educated as they need to be about STD testing. A lot of Drs "everything" doesn't include HSV!! And on top of that people, DONT TRUST SWAB TESTS FOR HSV!! I have been test numerous times with a swab test (where they take samples of fluid from a bump) and they ALL have come up negative and this is the day the bump appears. I don't know if i don't shed the virus much or what. The only reason i know for sure im positive is through a blood test which i insisted on having because i had a gut feeling the bump i seen wasn't just a bump.

Triplejackinga ...Right on brother! Amen to what you said.If we may add...we feel what your saying and feeling...been there and we're living it.We def can feel your frustration. In time you'll get over those feelings....took us a while, we now realize how common it is...we have MANY cool play partners and judging by your profile we believe you will as well,
Hey we'll be down your way late spring ...ya never know ??!!

To reiterate what "justenjoyinlife" stated, here's our situation: I'm in my late 30s, as is she. Before meeting her a couple of years ago, I've always been single. Over the course of many years, always thinking I'm doing what I should be doing, by requesting a 'FULL STD SCREEN', I figured everything was fine. Fast-forward to last Summer, and I was diagnosed with HSV-2. My better half became pregnant in Sept., and it was confirmed that she was positive as well. After reading up on the facts of HSV, and looking over my past 'FULL STD SCREENS', it just started to seriously piss me off that they don't test for this unless you specifically ask for it. What part of 'FULL STD SCREEN' excludes HSV?! I believe this is partly due to the cost of testing. I was told that some of the testing is more costly than other tests, which leads me to believe many of us have been forsaken in the name of the dollar. So for all those people out there that think their shit don't stink, better check the results from your 'FULL STD SCREEN'....And for those of you that think you're 'DDD Free' because you never have any symptoms, again, do some reading. HSV is not the only STD in which there are often no symptoms at all.

Hello all, just found out the male half got herpes. We updated our profile to full disclosure, but was wondering if anyone here has meet anyone. There are so very few profiles that disclose this information. Am I just being naive, or are there couples out there who are too afraid to say. New to this and would like any input you have. Thanks

I have recently changed my profile to full disclosure of mine and my bf's herpes. I'm not ashamed. I don't want to waste anyone's time or deceive anyone and I am hoping I can meet others in the area who have it and like to play. That's really the safest way for people with H to play I suppose. For the most part I'm not seeing many folks from Michigan. Disappointing. I know people from Michigan have it however, because I belong to support groups and fb groups that are local. In fact I was just at a support group event last night. It was strictly support though. Although my bf is always hoping we can recruit people to play, I don't want to mix those two parts of my life. :-) Hoping to meet more local swingers with H as well. Or open minded trusting individuals who will realize the my man and I will take every precaution possible to make it as safe and fun an experience as we are capable. :-) Peace...

the sad thing about HSV is it isn't a standard STD test that is run when you get tested. You have to specificly ask for it to be run and most people who have it don't even know. And those who have HSV1 don't even concider themselves in the H+ group. right now the numbers are 1 in 3 or 4 (depending on which study you look at) has HSV2 and the numbers are much higher for HSV1

One of the risk factors of becoming sexually active involves the H virus. Many liberated singles are infected without ever becoming swingers. The solution is taking the Rx valacyclovir, cleaning toys and fingers with Barbicide, using Trojans or Lifestyle cocksleeves, and being very exclusive and selective.

Creating a small number of preferred swinging partners requires patience, disclosure of lifestyle experiences, treatments, and constant communication.

Enjoyment of the liberated lifesltyle has both risks and benefits. Playmate scrub and wash together.

~~ZZ~~

most people have no idea what it looks like or if they have it as seen below fro the medical case studies. most drs say in the next 5 years 80% of the world will have this..

40 percent have genital herpes about 1 in 5 adults have it.
50-80 percent have the oral type. It's what can cause cold sores which makes the oral type very common to have. That is about 4 out of 5 people.