In an Australian first, a Canberra man has been convicted for giving genital herpes to a sexual partner.

The man pleaded guilty to the charge of “recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm”, which carries a maximum sentence of 13 years. He will be serving his 13-month sentence, handed down last week, under a community correction order.

However, history shows this approach to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) doesn’t make the community safer – and can actually backfire.

What is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is an STI caused by the herpes simplex virus. It can cause outbreaks of blisters or sores around the genitals and anus.

Genital herpes is mainly caused by type 2 of the virus (HSV-2). Less commonly, it’s caused by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), the strain that causes cold sores or “oral herpes”.

The STI is relatively common. Up to one in eight sexually active Australians live with genital herpes.

There is no cure, meaning infection is lifelong. But antiviral medications can help manage outbreaks when symptoms flare up, and reduce the chance of transmitting herpes to a sexual partner.

The details of the case

The convicted man had been diagnosed with HSV-2 in 2020, but did not disclose this when a prospective sexual partner asked about his STI status in 2023. They then had sex on several occasions.

The woman acquired HSV-2, and the man later acknowledged he had the virus and didn’t tell her,........

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