in case a doctor happens to be browsing (or a med student)?

Question

if one contracted herpes and already had a prior auto-immune disease (two actually, one crohn's and one a kind of arthritis) and a weak immune system due to taking immunosuppressant drugs, could it be potentially dangerous/fatal?
this is what i've heard and i'm nervous because i just learned that my love interest has genital herpes. he hasn't given it to anyone, but i'm really scared that with the slight possibility of contracting it, it could make me very very ill.

Answer 1

Theoretically, any infection can be potentially dangerous to an immunocompromised person...even a cold can be dangerous depending on the state of your immune system.

Unfortunately, genital herpes can be transmitted even if the person is taking medication every day to suppress it, and doesn't have any active lesions. It's still possible to pass it on to the non-infected partner.

Before you get more anxious about this, please talk to your rheumatologist or regular doctor. They can give you counseling and recommendations based on how your immune system functions.

Answer 2

If you are not engaging in intimate behavior, your chances are very slim. If you are engaging in intimate behavior, well, you will get it.