Chance of transmission with Valtrex

[Marquita620]

I am 61 y/o woman and was diagnosed with hsv2 25 years ago. I no longer have outbreaks though I have had very occasional instances of brief (one day or less) prodome. It's been quite some time since I've had even that though. I've recently begun a relationship with a man who doesn't have it. Because of issues of various fluctions of penis firmness during intercourse condoms do not work for him. I am currently taking Valtrex. I am wondering what the chances of transmission is given this scenario. I don't want to give it to him however I don't know what else I can do to prevent transmission. Any help you can give would be appreciated. Thanks.

[gracefromHHP]

um, not sure how else we would talk about risk without a % chance per year?

studies have shown that regardless of number of recurrences, shedding remains fairly constant even after 20 years of being infected. Not saying that to scare you, just saying that to educate you. A lack of obvious recurrences isn't of much meaning other than less times you are uncomfortable and waiting for them to heal.   as for not getting ob's as you get older, that differs from person to person. Most people still do get them but whether they get them regularly or not differs from person to person.

[Marquita620]

Actually I was tested viisually and followed up with a swab test which came back positive for HSV2. My partner was with his wife for 15 years and was tested with negtive results at the beginning of that relationship. She recently died and I am the only partner he has had since then.I trust him implicitly. He is a fine man. It seems the difference between 98% and 99% is negligible enough to not bother with the female condom. It is age related that he sometimes has fluctuations in his abilty stay hard. Why is it always referred to as '% per year'? Just wondering. I will continue to take Valtrex and it doesn't seem as if I will have anymore outbreaks at this age. I've heard that as you get older the outbreaks reduce to almost to completely non-existent. Is that so?

[gracefromHHP]

have you ever confirmed your hsv2 status since you were diagnosed?  odds are you didn't have testing done 25 years ago so if you've never followed up on things with either a lesion culture or a type specific herpes igg blood test to confirm your status, never a bad idea to do so.

So if you and your male partner did nothing but avoid sex anytime you have anything going on genitally, he is 96% likely each year NOT to contract hsv2 from you.  If you take daily suppressive therapy, his risk is cut in half making him 98% likely each year NOT to contract hsv2 from you. If you also throw in condoms in addition to those precautions, he's 99% likely each year not to contract hsv2 from you. Pretty reasonable odds eh?  You also can look into using female condoms. A male doesn't have to have a full erection or maintain one to use those which is often helpful for older males.

also has your partner been tested to know his status?  In your age group, 1 out of every 2 has hsv1 and 1 out of every 3 has hsv2. It's incredibly common and most folks don't get tested to know that they are infected. also don't forget that herpes isn't the only std!

keep asking questions!