Aa
Recurring outbreaks and suppressive therapy
I have had recurring outbreaks of herpes on my forhead for about 10 years now. Every new doctor I see seems to be surprised by this. Some say it's shingles and some say it's herpes, though from research I believe it's more likely herpes. The outbreaks are dime-sized, last about a week, and are more embarrassing (impossible to hide) than painful. Lately, the outbreaks have been occurring more frequently, three times in the past 6 months. I'm ready to look into suppressive therapy. What would you recommend for suppressive therapy? I'm in my early 30's and otherwise perfectly healthy. Thank you for your guidance!
Thank you, Grace. Sounds like the first step is getting it tested again. Definitely ready to try a new treatment approach! I appreciate your advice and will take this information to my doctor.
I'll remove that other one for you :)
I'd definitely get a pcr swab of your symptoms within 48 hours of the appearance of symptoms. even though you've had a lesion culture previously, just make sure it's still the cause at this point. you can have hsv1 recurrences in the forehead area, just less common.
daily suppressive therapy is helpful somewhat for hsv1. it seems to work better for hsv2 than it does hsv1 in the facial area but it still does help. certainly it's worth a try. acyclovir is your cheapest option for suppression. valtrex is your most convenient. don't hesitate to call your pharmacy and ask what the price of valtex 1gm , 90 pills would be to see if it's reasonable or not. Easier to take a pill once a day than twice. I'd go with the higher 1 gm dose just because it's hsv1.
I'd definitely get a pcr swab of your symptoms within 48 hours of the appearance of symptoms. even though you've had a lesion culture previously, just make sure it's still the cause at this point. you can have hsv1 recurrences in the forehead area, just less common.
daily suppressive therapy is helpful somewhat for hsv1. it seems to work better for hsv2 than it does hsv1 in the facial area but it still does help. certainly it's worth a try. acyclovir is your cheapest option for suppression. valtrex is your most convenient. don't hesitate to call your pharmacy and ask what the price of valtex 1gm , 90 pills would be to see if it's reasonable or not. Easier to take a pill once a day than twice. I'd go with the higher 1 gm dose just because it's hsv1.
accidentally posted this to the wrong comment..so here it is again:
I was tested about 10 years ago and it was found to be herpes. However, doctors I have seen since then have speculated it is shingles, or agree it is herpes. I prefer not to have the blister tested (again) as I don't want it aggravate it. I am seeing a doctor today to discuss treatment options but want to be armed with information and possible treatments before I go. The reason I ask about suppressive treatments is because most information I have found addresses only genital herpes (which I don't have).
I was tested about 10 years ago and it was found to be herpes. However, doctors I have seen since then have speculated it is shingles, or agree it is herpes. I prefer not to have the blister tested (again) as I don't want it aggravate it. I am seeing a doctor today to discuss treatment options but want to be armed with information and possible treatments before I go. The reason I ask about suppressive treatments is because most information I have found addresses only genital herpes (which I don't have).
shingles doesn't reoccur like this.
have they been doing cultures of your symptoms to know that it's herpes going on?
grace
have they been doing cultures of your symptoms to know that it's herpes going on?
grace
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
