Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Marrying someone with herpes

22 May, 2022
Question:

Hi, thanks for your time. What are the ramifications halachically of marrying someone with herpes?


Answer:

We appreciate the sensitive nature of this question.

It is most likely that a person marrying someone with herpes will contract it. (Note that condoms, sometimes recommended for preventing transmission, raise serious halachic issues.)

We would recommend speaking with a physician, ideally an infectious disease specialist, about the ramifications, taking into account your medical history as well. If herpes does not present a high health risk to the person who hasn’t yet contracted it, then it would be permissible halachically to marry.

Please don’t hesitate to follow up with us.

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