HSV-1 and Valtrex

[UptownBoy]

I am a very healthy 42 year old male with no other STD's. I contracted genital HSV-1 on a memorable trip to Paris about 6 months ago.  My initial outbreak was pretty bad.  I went to my physician and she ordered several lab tests.  The results indicated Genital HSV-1.  I immediately went on Valtrex. For the first 10 days 2mg then 1 mg a day for suppression.  Long story short, it is 6 months later,  I have never had another outbreak.  I feel prefectly normal.  My question is: Should I continue to take 1 mg of Valtrex?  My understanding is that based on my Genitial HSV-1  diagnosis, I should never have another outbreak (or at least very few) and that I am at an extremely low risk of spreading the virus through shedding.  Valtrex is outrageously expensive costing me and my HMO about $375 per month.  Also, I am worried about the side effects of the drug.  Lately I have started to feel rather depressed, something very new to me.  I am sexually active and do not wish to spread my virus but is the Valtrex really doing anything to prevent spreading the virus if I am at such a low risk of spreading the virus in the first place.  What to do?

[gracefromHHP]

How did they diagnose you with hsv1 genitally? did you have a culture of active symptoms that said hsv1?

The choice whether to stay on suppressive therapy or not is yours.  If you do decide to stay on it - consider switching to acyclovir to save money.  

grace

[Emma_08]

$375 a month is outrageously expensive!!  Anyway, generally genital HSV-1 causes less severe and less frequent outbreaks than HSV-2.  Most people with genital HSV-1 have relatively few outbreaks, and some do not have another one after their primary outbreak.  Also, there is less viral shedding (when you can transmit the virus to others even when sores are not present).  Even though it is possible to transmit genital HSV-1, it is a lot less probable than HSV-2.  Most people acquire genital HSV-1 from oral sex when cold sores are present.  I would discuss with your doctor what you would like to do about the Valtrex.  I'm not quite sure about stopping the drug and viral resistance - in other words, if you stop the drug and decide to start it up again later down the road for whatever reason, it might not be as effective.  However, I'm not an expert and I would discuss this with a professional.
Good luck,
Em