Ethical question: Herpes

[Medusa]

Am I morally obligated to disclose having herpes before engaging in sex?

[Rhaethe]

Re: Ethical question: Herpes

I believe so, yes.

[B. de Corbin]

Re: Ethical question: Herpes

Moral?

I don't know... I don't do "moral."

But it would be nice. Sometimes I do nice.

[Roknrol]

Re: Ethical question: Herpes

Am I morally obligated to disclose having herpes before engaging in sex?

Yes. You are potentially saddling someone with a permanent condition, it is your obligation to inform them before doing so.

[Maria de Luna]

Re: Ethical question: Herpes

...your morality isn't mine.

dunno about legally though, I know aids is one of those things you are legally required to disclose, I suppose if you give a crap tell the person you are gonna bone. If your goal is to well and truly bone em, well not telling them and giving it to em would probably do it, not my bag though.

[thalassa]

Re: Ethical question: Herpes

I would think, yes.

But regardless of morality, I'd want to look into the legality. In most cases, it is a requirement to tell a partner about any STD one actively has and is treating.

[monsno_leedra]

Re: Ethical question: Herpes

Hm, the reverse of that is does a future partner has a responsibility to inform you of any disease or condition they may have that could negatively impact upon you? Personally I'd think ethically and morally you have a responsibility to inform the partner of any issues that could negatively impact upon their lives.

[Heka]

Am I morally obligated to disclose having herpes before engaging in sex?

How much do you like them?

Herpes are just coldsores in the wrong place anyway right? Do you have a moral obligation to tell the person your macking that you have coldsores?

[DanieMarie]

Re: Ethical question: Herpes

I think so, yes.

I'm with Heka that it's not really -that- big a deal, but it can be a pain, so yeah, I think you should tell them. Coldsores are a bit different. 6 out of 10 people have exposure to them, so it's less likely to -not- have them than it is to have them.

[Rae'ya]

Re: Ethical question: Herpes

My personal morals are that your should disclose any STD/STI, regardless of whether or not you use condoms.

I look at this as one of those 'do unto others' type situations. I would be absolutely ropeable if I discovered that someone hadn't told me about their known STD before having sex with me. Ergo I would ensure that I told them.

The trick with Herpes is that if you are a non-symptomatic carrier then it's easy to downplay it. But it's still an incurable transmissible disease. I think that carries with it certain responsibilities.

[Amelia-Mary]

Re: Ethical question: Herpes

I base my morality on "Do what ye will, harm none", if you don't tell them, you are more likely to pass on the disease, thus an increased risk of harm, so I would say yes.

However, if you were responsible enough to practice safe sex, the moral issue would be less.

[Ignorantfool]

Re: Ethical question: Herpes

If you plan on having a long term relationship it will have to come out eventually. If you can practice safety I do not see an issue.

When I lived in Florida at my last job, one of my employees on my team decided to tell me she had herpes. She told the whole team too, which spread around. I am not sure why she decided to tell us. Maybe she wanted acceptance. The reason i brought this up is this is the opposite extreme of wanting to tell everyone.

At the end of the day its your life and I am sure you know how to be safe.

[Shahaku]

Re: Ethical question: Herpes

Yes. This is one of those things you have to take responsibility for. It's transmittable and could have lifelong effects on the other person. They need too know the importance of having safe sex while with you.

[Medusa]

Re: Ethical question: Herpes

I took a tour through google images on different forms of herpes. I don't want to say it's just 'no big deal'. I mean gamble if you like. But I didn't ask to go to the casino when I kissed you. So yeah. Tell.

[Heka]

I think so, yes.

I'm with Heka that it's not really -that- big a deal, but it can be a pain, so yeah, I think you should tell them. Coldsores are a bit different. 6 out of 10 people have exposure to them, so it's less likely to -not- have them than it is to have them.

I was of the belief that the mouth type and the genital type were confused these days due to oral sex etc, so chances are most people have been exposed to both types.

I don't stress about it personally, I've been exposed to at least one strain and don't carry it myself. Theres always the chance this person could carry some kinda immunity.