Is it true that you can use a condom but still get herpes?
Dave, it’s true that you can use a condom and still get an STD. One of the main reasons for this is that some STDs, like herpes and HPV, are spread by skin-to-skin contact (when your skin touches their skin). Condoms only cover a limited amount of skin, so anything that’s exposed is fair game to infection. Another reason is that sometimes people use condoms the wrong way. Or they don’t actually use them every time they have sex… or they don’t use them the whole time they have sex. You get the idea.
Dave, I don’t want to mislead you – condoms rock! If you use them the right way, they can prevent you from getting and spreading STDs, like HIV/AIDS. But they – like a lot of things in life – are not foolproof.
If things do get cooking between you and your hottie, talk to him about whether or not he’s ever had an STD test. And ask him if you two can get tested together. Although most healthcare providers don’t test for herpes as a normal part of STD testing, if he tells the doctor he thinks he has herpes, he can learn about the best ways not to pass it on to you.
Good luck,
Auntie Manda
