The virus does slow down its activity over time, yes. It would be highly unusual to have prodrome every day. I doubt that is what is going on, honestly, especially on therapy.
And yes, some episodes of shedding can be very brief.
Terri
But would you have prodromal symptoms daily? Before the valtrax this is nothing that I ever experienced. I have heard that shedding can be as little as moments to hours or days? Is this true? Does the virus show it activity down after 32 years.
HSV detected is positive. There is no difference. HSV detected is a phrase used normally for PCR samples and positive is used normally with cultures. but the end result is the same. So you are both infected and infectious to others, and you can shed virus both with and without outbreaks.
This is important information for your partner to have so he can make a decision that fits for him.
Taking daily suppression reduces transmission by half. The chance of you infecting your partner while taking medicine is about 2% per year, having sex twice per week without regular condom use.
I've heard once before, from someone I know pretty well, that she felt Valtrex also made her prodromal symptoms worse. However, there is no scientific basis for that and it doesn't make great sense from a science point of view. nonetheless, if it is true for you, it is true for you. You could try acyclovir and see if it is better for you. It is cheaper but you have to take it twice a day unlike Valtrex.
Is that helpful?
Terri