Antivirals as a preventative measure against Herpes 2

I was exposed to genital Herpes recently.  2 questions:

1. Can taking an antiviral medication help against contracting Herpes if taken immediately?  And if so, how long should I take it?

2. Can taking an antiviral before actually experiencing any symptoms hurt me in any way?

[Mistakeguy789]

1.  No it wouldn't.  Once the virus takes hold in the nerves the antiviral isn't going to kill it.  If this was the case we would have people on HSV antivirials all the time before sex.  Sorry :(

2.  Speak to your doctor about this.  

[gracefromHHP]

you would've had to have started antivirals within a few hours of the encounter. even at that, no guarantees you wouldn't be infected.  

no harm to taking antivirals if you aren't infected.  

at this point, should you develop any obvious symptoms, see your provider for proper exam and testing.

perhaps some more details about the encounter you are worried about would help us advise you better?

grace

[joe616]

Thanks for the response.  It was immediately after unprotected sex that I looked & noticed 10-20 suspicious looking marks (similar to healed zits).  Of course I asked what it was, & she denied having herpes & claimed it was "razor-burn" (not like any I've ever seen).  Assuming the worst, I left & immediately stopped by a friend's house who has an Acyclovir prescription & started taking it.  I stopped by the doctor the next day, got a prescription (his answer to my question #1 was about the same as yours) & have been taking it ever since- about a week now.

My next question: Assuming a) antivirals do indeed help prevent infection & b) I never end up showing symptoms, how long should I stay on the antivirals to keep the virus from "taking hold"?  I understand that this might be hard or impossible to answer, but any advice helps- maybe a range?  Days vs months?

[Mistakeguy789]

You are asking a question which is hard to answer since there is no research of this in humans.  

Everyone has different skin and the look of razor burn is different.  When dealing with the genital area I have had something like that myself when I shave down there.  Maybe you and your partner should get tested to know your status.  If shes negative and had no other sexual partners in the last 3 months you know you have nothing to worry about.

[gracefromHHP]

it's probably only the first dose or two that was helpful more than anything.

at this point since you started antivirals so early, honestly I'd just take them for a week and then stop. should you get any genital symptoms afterward, be seen promptly for a proper exam and any testing they recommend. as far as finding out if you avoided infection or not, no more antivirals after this and get a type specific herpes igg blood test 3 months from now.

have you ever been tested for herpes to know your baseline status?

have you offered to pay for a type specific herpes igg blood test for the partner in question to see what her status is?

sounds like you panicked more than anything to be honest.  

grace

[joe616]

Thanks a lot for the info.  I got an IgG in 2009 & came back negative for HSV 1 & 2.

Anyway, my partner and I are going in this weekend to get her tested.  I'll stop the antivirals for now & plan on getting tested again in 3 months.  I'll follow up here if I ever show any symptoms, thanks again!