Is it against the law to have s*x with individuals when you know you have herpes?

Question

I know someone, and NO it's not me, that knowingly has s*x with men even though she has herpes. At first she would tell them, now she doesn't. Is that against the law like the whole AIDS thing? Also, am I liable because I know this....... HELP!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

It's irresponsible, but its not criminal.    

And in my opinion, it SHOULDN'T be criminal.  When you have s*x with someone, there is a risk that you will catch something.  

Herpes doesn't lead to other diseases.  It's not fatal, and it doesn't cause infertility.  In fact, in most people, the symptoms are so mild that they don't know that they have it.    

Most people (50% to 80%) have oral herpes, which can cause genital herpes through oral s*x.   It's such a minor deal that no one even thinks twice about it.   Why is that any different than genital herpes, except that one causes sores on your face (which everyone can see) and one causes easily-hidden sores on your genitals?

So ethically, she certainly should be telling her partners about her herpes.  But neither she nor you are in any legal danger.

Answer 2

Actually yes. Some guy in my town got assault charges pressed against him for having s*x with people when he knew he had an STD because he was deliberately causing bodily harm to people. Granted, the prosecutor might have just been tacking on extra charges to get him a longer sentencing, but it definitely happened.

Answer 3

Why would you ever think that you are liable?  It's your friend but your not her keeper! Its not criminal but it's no better than people with cold sores acting like they dont know that what they have on their face is herpes and can be very contagious and is a big percentage of the reason people have genital herpes.

Im sure that people with hsv 1, and I know a few myself do not tell people that they have it and can infect them so why should she be a criminal? What about the 80% of people with herpes that dont know that they have it because they have not had any symptoms? They don't tell people because that dont know!  Should they be punished?

I hope that she is on meds, avoiding s*x while having and outbreak and using condoms if she is not telling. It's no different than you having s*x with a condom because every single time you lay down and have s*x you are taking a risk so if you are having s*x you have to know there is a risk rather someone warns you or not.

The only thing that is you responsibility is your status and protecting yourself. Be in the know and get tested yourself...be supportive of your friend but she has to make her own decisions and you can talk to her about it but dont judge her.

Answer 4

no it is not against the law, and no you cant be held liable for your friend's incredibly irresponsible decisions. however, i hope she is at least using a condom. the men who she is sleeping with have a right to know this information.

Answer 5

Most likely it can be a case in court, if you can prove it.   Sounds like she needs to take the one to court that gave it to her, and then lets just make it a chain reaction from there.

If she is not telling them she has it, she needs to practice safe s*x and use condoms; and never have s*x at all when you are having an outbreak.     It can be a hard thing to tell someone, unless you know it is going to be a real relationship...and for you being liable, honestly, if you know that she has it, then you must be her friend and she confided in you with her deep dark secret, which is a virus that most of us have even if you don't have an outbreak, even you, you could be a carrier and not even know it yourself.  

cold sore, shingles, gentile sores, all are herpes.  

now I think she is wrong if she is having unprotected s*x with all these men, or maybe she feels, like no one told her, then why should she, you never know what depression state of mind she is in.  

tell her and you to go to (herpes and cold sore support forum) this is a great web site for support, and education on this issue. This forum is all about this virus, you will be amazed at the people that has it.

good luck