It’s hard to say exactly how a medication will work in any one particular body. For many people, taking Acyclovir or other suppressive therapy daily does prevent herpes outbreaks. However, it will ultimately depend upon the strength of your immune system versus the strength of the virus.  You can help keep your immune system strong by getting enough sleep, eating nutritional food, feeling emotionally supported, and exercising regularly. As always, chat with a nurse at Teen Clinic if you have questions about how herpes works. Best of luck!

Great news!  A herpes outbreak will only occur in the specific area it was transmitted to. If you have oral herpes, it will not randomly appear on your genitals, and vice versa. However, be careful not to touch your genitals directly after you have touched a cold sore on your mouth; it is possible to accidentally transmit the virus in this way (although it is rare). And remember—you are still at risk for genital herpes from a partner’s mouth or genitals. Continue to use condoms 100% and discuss STI prevention openly with your partner.

Thanks for asking this great question!

 … I’m scared. I don’t want to tell my parents I masturbate.

Herpes is a virus that transmits through skin-to-skin contact.  It does not transmit through semen, vaginal fluid, or blood—so no, it’s not possible to accidentally give yourself herpes by touching semen and then touching the mouth. In rare cases, it is possible to spread herpes by touching a genital sore and then quickly touching the mouth (or vice versa); however, herpes is fragile and this is unlikely.

It’s good to remember that in order to get herpes, you must come into contact with the mouth or genitals of someone who already has herpes.  For this reason, masturbating alone does not carry a risk of STIs. Although you may not feel comfortable with your parents knowing that you masturbate, rest assured that masturbation is a healthy and normal way to explore your sexuality, and will not damage the body in any way. Thanks for asking!

Nope! Your herpes medication shouldn’t affect your birth control at all. However, if you are experiencing an outbreak, avoid sexual contact.  Herpes is most contagious when a sore is present. And always use a condom as a backup; no hormonal birth control method is 100% effective. Condoms can prevent the transmission of other STIs too.

If you have more questions about herpes, make an appointment at Teen Clinic to talk to a provider.

Teen Clinic provides free and confidential Herpes testing. If a patient is diagnosed with the infection, we can provide a prescription for the medication but we do not have the medication at our clinic to dispense for free. Fortunately, the most common and effective treatment for Herpes is Acyclovir- an antiviral medication- which is very inexpensive! To make an appointment for free STI testing, call 303.442.5160.

In very rare cases, a person could transfer oral herpes to their genitals by touching a cold sore, then directly touching their penis or vagina. However, this is highly unlikely.  The Herpes Simplex Virus is most easily transmitted through mouth-to-mouth, genital-to-mouth, or genital-to-genital contact. However, if you are experiencing itching, burning with urination, or pain in the genital area, be sure to see a healthcare provider soon.  The bump may be part of an infection, or it may be a harmless, normal part of your genitals. A Teen Clinic practitoner can help you learn the difference.

Great question!  Some sexually transmitted infections might not have symptoms, so getting tested is an important way to keep your body healthy.

Here’s a guide on when to test for what:

• Chlamydia/Gonorrhea:    At Teen Clinic, we test for chlamydia and gonorrhea with a simple urine sample.  Because chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial STI, we recommend testing after unprotected sex or after sex with a new partner.  We also recommend testing when someone is experiencing symptoms, like itching, bleeding with intercourse, painful ejaculation or burning with urination in males, or unusual discharge.  Once sexually active, test for chlamydia and gonorrhea once a year and before each new partner.
• Syphilis: Syphilis is rare among the general population.  However, rates are climbing among certain groups of people. When you come in, talk to a practitioner about your sexual health history to decide if a syphilis test makes sense for you. We test for syphilis with a simple blood draw.
• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus): We highly recommend everyone gets tested for HIV.  It’s always better to know. Once you’re sexually active, consider getting tested for HIV every year or and before each new partner. An HIV test is a rapid finger prick, so we receive results in just 10 minutes. At Teen Clinic, we offer free HIV testing the first Tuesday of the month in Boulder and the third Wednesday of the month in Longmont. The Boulder County AIDS Project offers free HIV testing for teens anytime! Visit www.bcap.org or call 303.444.6121.
• Herpes: At Teen Clinic, we only test for herpes when someone is experiencing an outbreak. Teens who are concerned about small, itchy red bumps or open lesions on their genitals should make an appointment for an infection check.
• HPV: Detecting HPV in the body can be tricky.  Some people learn they have HPV when they develop genital warts. Others may have a pap, or sample of cells, taken from their cervix or anus. If the cells show abnormal growth, pathology will determine if HPV is present. If HPV is causing the abnormal cells, they can become cancerous over time. Providers recommend annual paps for any female over 21.  We don’t perform paps on females under 21 because many young women with HPV clear the virus in their teenage years.  At this point in time, there is no equivalent test for men. However, men can still be infected and suffer from HPV. What can you do about HPV? Women and men can get the HPV vaccine, Gardasil, for free at Teen Clinic!  Gardasil can prevent some strains of HPV that cause genital warts and cancer.
• Trichomoniasis: Believe it or not, Trich is a common curable STI among young, sexually active women and men. Its symptoms can include painful ejaculation, green-yellow foamy discharge, a fishy smell, and slight irritation or itching. However, it can also be asymptomatic, meaning it has no symptoms. To diagnose Trichomoniasis in both men and women, a provider must perform a physical exam and laboratory tests. Someone concerned about Trich should schedule an Infection Check appointment at Teen Clinic so the provider knows an exam will be necessary.
• Hepatitis A, B &C: First, find out if you received a Hepatitis vaccine when you were a child. Most Americans are vaccinated against Hepatitis B, and some against Hepatitis A.  If you weren’t vaccinated, hepatitis is possible if you have been exposed to someone’s infected blood or sexual fluids. Teen Clinic does not offer hepatitis testing, but our providers would be happy to discuss it with you.  We refer interested patients to Boulder County Public Health. A blood draw is used to test for Hepatitis A, B and C.

Whew! That’s a lot to keep track of! Luckily, our providers are always willing to advise you on which tests are right for you.  And keep in mind that STIs can be prevented through abstinence, consistent & correct condom use, and talking to your partner about their sexual history before becoming active with them.   You can even bring them in to get tested!  To schedule an appointment for an infection check and/or STI test, call 303.442.5160.

It’s very responsible to be concerned about this.  You’re right—both Type 1 and Type 2 herpes can be spread through kissing if one partner is infected.  While transmission is most likely when the cold sore is actually present, it’s also possible when your partner has no symptoms. That’s because the virus can be active near the surface of the skin without creating an outbreak.

To reduce the risk of contracting the virus, avoid contact with the cold sore. When he has a cold sore, avoid kissing, sharing drinks and lip balm. If your boyfriend has consistent outbreaks, he may want to consider talking to his doctor about herpes medications, which can suppress outbreaks and reduce the risk of transmission.

If you are sexually active with your boyfriend, protect yourselves during oral-genital contact! Transmitting Type 1 Herpes (oral herpes) onto the genitals is possible; using a condom for oral intercourse on a male or a dental dam for oral intercourse on a female can reduce your risk.

And keep in mind that, although both genital and oral herpes can be unpleasant, plenty of individuals do not have regular outbreaks and are able to lead healthy, happy sexual lives.  If you have more questions about herpes, check out this Center for Disease Control page, or visit Teen Clinic to speak with a nurse.

…When I first pee in the morning it gives me a burning sensation; throughout the rest of the day it’s just a little tingly sensation. I have taken the HPV vaccines. What should I be worried about? Do you think this could be genital warts?

The best way to know is to see your health care provider. You can make an appointment at Teen Clinic for a check-up by calling 303.442.5160. Since you have unusual lesions and pain with urination, it’s very important to get checked out soon! Until you are able to see a health care provider, abstain from sexual activity.

The HPV vaccine provides great protection against four strains of the virus; types 6, 11, 16, 18. These strains account for 70% of cervical cancer cases and 90% of genital warts. However, there are around 30 other strains of genital HPV. Even though you received the vaccine, there is still chance you can transmit HPV.

It’s very possible to transmit and contract STIs through oral sex. It’s hard to estimate the exact likelihood of any individual. One person involved must be infected and there must be skin contact or the exchange of blood, semen and/or vaginal fluids. Some STIs are more likely to be transmitted during oral sex than others. Herpes & HPV are both viral STIs that transmit via skin-to-skin contact. Both viruses present themselves in the mouth and genitals. Herpes can cause cold sores on the outside of the mouth and around the genitals. HPV can cause abnormal cell growth (that can lead to cancer) in the mouth, throat and genitals. It’s also possible to contract Chlamydia or Gonorrhea in the throat through unprotected oral sex. Symptoms are generally a sore throat. Flavored condoms & dental dams exist purely for protected oral sex. Check out your local clinic or pharmacy for condoms & dental dams; be sure to use them every time!