Contracting Herpes in Russia (a man's story of catching herpes from a Russian woman)

Hello Everyone,

Lena and I are fortunate in that we are able to speak with many people, both Russian women and Western men, about their relationships.

People sometimes come to us or contact us asking for advice.

I wanted to share one story (I will of course keep the names anonymous)...

A Western man traveled to Russia to see a Russian woman who he felt very comfortable with after he had communicated with her by email and phone.

Since the Russian woman had very little sexual experience and seemed like a very nice woman, he didn't think to use a condom when he had sex with her.

He felt good about their time together, but then, several days later, he noticed some unusual lesions on his private area. He also noticed lesions on her genitals as well about the same time. He thought that it was strange, but he thought that it might be the fact that they both were having sex often during their meeting. He didn't want to worry about it, and enjoyed his time getting to know her.

When he returned to his country, the lesions went away, but then returned to his genital area, and he went to see a doctor.

He received a blood test, and was told that he had the herpes virus.

He contacted the Russian woman, and told her about what he had discovered, but she said that she had never had any previous signs of lesions either.

Apparently, because a person can have the herpes virus and not show symptoms, it was impossible for them to know who had the herpes virus first.

The man suspected that one of the woman's previous boyfriends, who was in the army and who she discovered was not faithful with her, may have given her the virus.

But the man is equally responsible (or irresponsible) because he did take the risk of having sex without wearing a condom.

The moral of this story is that even if you feel comfortable and good about someone, and even if it seems that they do not have much sexual experience, you should always wear a condom until both of you receive a test for sexually transmitted diseases.

Ironically, a hospital in Russia tested the woman soon after his trip to Russia, and told her that she did not have herpes, even though she continued to periodically have lesions.

And the man said that about 1 year before his trip to see her, he tested negative for herpes.

So, be careful.

Khashyar

*(You can find much more in-depth information about Russia, and helpful advice from Lena, Khashyar and others in the Russian Meeting Place's active Russian-Western Discussion Forums)

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