GLBT and herpes

No matter what your sexual orientation is, if you are sexually active - which includes vaginal sex, oral sex or anal sex - you are at risk of getting genital herpes.

As the popularity of oral sex is on the rise, the incidence of genital herpes has increased in both gay and heterosexual men. However the transmission Glossary: Transmission
Passing the virus on. of genital herpes via anal sex remains more common among gay men.

Genital herpes has been found to make the body more susceptible to HIV and vice versa. This is particularly important for gay men, as the incidence of HIV is higher in this group.

The incidence of genital herpes is slightly less in lesbians than in heterosexual women. However it is important to remember that genital herpes can be transmitted Glossary: Transmission
Passing the virus on. via oral sex.

If you don't feel comfortable discussing your concerns with your doctor visit your local sexual health clinic instead.