Does Herpes Increase the Risk of Getting HIV?

The fact that both Herpes and HIV are STDs, a lot of people diagnosed with Herpes want to know the answer to the question: What are my chances of getting HIV if I have contracted Herpes?

Many studies have corroborated the correlation between contracting HIV after a person is diagnosed with Herpes and the results do state an increased possibility of contracting HIV. The studies have revealed that a person becomes four to five times more vulnerable to HIV infection after having herpes IF they are exposed to HIV. It may sound too obvious but if someone is not exposed to HIV even if they have herpes, they have no risk of contracting HIV.

STDs or STIs like syphilis, herpes, or chancroid, can cause sores on the genitals which can make the transmission of HIV a lot easier. This is why:

The open sores make it easy for HIV to get into the body. Also, when you have contracted Herpes, your body is producing disease-fighting cells called macrophages. The production of macrophages allows HIV to bind to them in the mucous membranes of the anus or vagina, getting direct access to the bloodstream. The infected area is concentrated with macrophages so there are more chances for HIV to enter the body.

People diagnosed with both herpes and HIV are more prone to transmitting them to their partners. The host body provides enough room for replication which helps the HIV load to increase in the blood and sexual fluids. Then, if someone has HIV, their outbreak of herpes can last longer because of the aggravated body immunity.

Treating herpes and HIV is the only way to reduce the transmission.

Herpes or not, try considering these few options if you are sexually active:

• Don’t forget to use latex condoms during oral, vaginal, or anal sex.

• Refraining from sex during a herpes outbreak could decrease the chances of transmitting both herpes and HIV.

• Get tested regularly for herpes and HIV, and if any treatments are required, they shouldn’t be delayed under any circumstance.

• Avoid promiscuous behavior and if you are having sex with new partners, talk to them about any past or current infections first.

Indeed, there aren’t any cures for herpes and HIV, but you must realize how you can reduce exposure to others by getting treated. Also, if you doubt that you might be exposed to either infection, make sure to get yourself tested.

Avoid unprotected sex even when the herpes symptoms start to disappear. Many patients have contracted herpes even past their initial treatment. So it’s wise to stay away from sex for some time. We aren’t suggesting you stay sex-free all your life, but the first few months are critical, so watch out for them.