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Gential hsv-1 question
I was recently diagnosed with hsv-1 in the genital region and am currently taking Valtrex which my doctor just put me on a higher dosage (1000-daily). I have been with the same man for years and assume I contracted this from him, he does have oral herpes. This has been a big problem for me and I have been suffering from what seems like a continuos outbreak especially after intercourse. I have also suffered from anal fissures and several yeast infections, is this normal and if so what can I do? Also I am very concerned about transmitting this back to my boyfriend genitally. Are the chances lower if we have the same strain of hsv-1 and how concerned should we be when having intercourse if I think symptoms are present because they do seem to be continuos? I appreciate your time and help and thanks for listening.
Thank you doctor!!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Although you don't provide enough information for me to be sure, your story makes me skeptical of your diagnosis. You don't say what you mean by "continuous outbreak", but if you have had symptoms more than 1-2 weeks, almost certainly they are not due to herpes--especially if symptoms are continuing while you take Valtrex. And herpes outbreaks are not triggered by having sex. and if your symptoms were due to herpes, they would not continue while you are taking Valtrex. Finally, most people with genital herpes due to HSV-1 do not have frequent outbreaks. Most likely, therefore, something else is causing your symptoms. Herpes is easily confused with yeast infections and other causes of genital soreness and rash.
People with HSV infection of any part of their body are immune from catching it again. If your husband has oral HSV-1 that was the source of your genital infection, you cannot infect his genital area.
If your doctor did a culture for herpes and it was positive for HSV-1, then the initial diagnosis was solid. However, I doubt herpes is the cause of your continuing symptoms, and if you didn't have a positive culture, even the initial diagnosis may have been wrong. Either way, I am not certain you need continuing treatment with Valtrex--which seems not to be helping anyway.
Bottom line: Return to your provider; or if uncertain of his expertise, get another opinion, preferably from a herpes expert.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
People with HSV infection of any part of their body are immune from catching it again. If your husband has oral HSV-1 that was the source of your genital infection, you cannot infect his genital area.
If your doctor did a culture for herpes and it was positive for HSV-1, then the initial diagnosis was solid. However, I doubt herpes is the cause of your continuing symptoms, and if you didn't have a positive culture, even the initial diagnosis may have been wrong. Either way, I am not certain you need continuing treatment with Valtrex--which seems not to be helping anyway.
Bottom line: Return to your provider; or if uncertain of his expertise, get another opinion, preferably from a herpes expert.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
