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Valtrex for prevention of infection?
Hi, I read that Valtrex prevents herpes replication. Would this medicine have any use in preventing possible infection of the ganglion? For instance, lets say you take Valtrex before or right after a sexual encounter or possible exposure. Would the medicine stop the replication of the virus inside your skin/body and prevent it from taking up a permanent home inside the ganglion?
we don't recommend taking herpes antivirals after a risky encounter to try to ward off infection. What few studies we have on it in animals showed that it didn't help prevent infection. We have one case study in a human who knowingly was exposed to active herpes virus and received IV antivirals immediately after exposure and they avoided infection with the virus. though there is low risk to taking the antivirals, we still don't recommend reckless use of them.
So what happens if you take a 10 day course of valtrex after a risky encounter? Well you still have to follow up with a herpes igg blood test after 3 months post encounter to know your status. Should you get any obvious symptoms of herpes genitally within that 3 months you should be seen immediately for swabbing of symptoms. A 10 day course wouldn't affect your herpes igg blood testing if you wait at least the 3 months but if you get symptoms while on antivirals, it could give you a false negative swab for herpes.
Always best to avoid risky encounters and always have protected sexual contact :)
So what happens if you take a 10 day course of valtrex after a risky encounter? Well you still have to follow up with a herpes igg blood test after 3 months post encounter to know your status. Should you get any obvious symptoms of herpes genitally within that 3 months you should be seen immediately for swabbing of symptoms. A 10 day course wouldn't affect your herpes igg blood testing if you wait at least the 3 months but if you get symptoms while on antivirals, it could give you a false negative swab for herpes.
Always best to avoid risky encounters and always have protected sexual contact :)
I found this link in the archives. Part of Dr. Handsfield's answer seems to suggest that taking anti-virals within an hour of exposure may have a preventative effect.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Oral-Sex-with-Cold-Sore/show/633510
scroll to the Dr.'s reply, 5th paragraph. He writes "Taking an antiherpetic drug like acyclovir or valacyclovir before symptoms develop won't prevent infection; research in animals shows that unless the drug is taken within an hour of exposure, it has no effect in preventing infection"
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Oral-Sex-with-Cold-Sore/show/633510
scroll to the Dr.'s reply, 5th paragraph. He writes "Taking an antiherpetic drug like acyclovir or valacyclovir before symptoms develop won't prevent infection; research in animals shows that unless the drug is taken within an hour of exposure, it has no effect in preventing infection"
No, the antiviral binds to existing viral cells within nerve cells. It will do nothing to prevent infection.
I am wondering the same thing. I have HSV2 and have Valtrex on hand. I drank from a glass of a person who has an active HSV1 outbreak. After thinking about it around 12 hours later I realized I was at risk for infection. I took 1500 MG of Valtrex and will continue with 1000MG twice a day for a few more days. It makes some sense that the Valtrex could interfere with the HSV1 virus spreading from the initial infection sight to the nerves if you have Valtrex in your system prior to of soon after an initial exposure. Does anyone have any insight?
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
