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Suppressive Therapy
If one partner is infected with hsv2 how does suppressive therapy work for the uninfected partner if they are taking suppressive medication as well? Upon ending the relationship how long before a test can be considered accurate in diagnosing HSV2? My understanding is that suppressive therapy itself can cause a test to read negative by ELISA levels by suppressing viral levels. What levels of Acyclovir do you generally reccommend daily for effective suppressive therapy? Is once or twice a day more or less effective, morning or night dosing or both. Are there long term health problems related to suppressive therapy? I have read extensive information on Immunovex and Acambis working on Vaccines of a preventative and therapeutic modality. They are utilizing different and emerging technologies than past attempts. If you are familiar id appreciate any comments you have on their potential usage and efficacy even if they are several years from public distribution. Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge and expertise...............
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Maybe yes. The patent for Valtrex ran out quite recently, but I don't know whether generic valacyclovir is yet available. If so, it might not make much difference in price. The earliest generics often are priced only a little lower than the branded product.
Is there a generic form Valacylcovir...........thanks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum. Lots of questions there; I can't cover all of them in the detail you might like.
The efficacy of an uninfected person taking anti-herpes therapy in preventing HSV-2 infection has never been studied and isn't known. Logically it should be protective. If both the infected and uninfected members of a couple consistently take any of the anti-HSV drugs (acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir), I cannot imagine transmission taking place.
You are wrong about suppressive therapy and blood test results. If someone catches HSV-2, the blood test becomes positive. If it remains negative, no infection occurred.
For suppressive therapy to prevent transmission, I normally rely on valacylcovir 1.0 g once daily. Acyclovir probably works at a dose of 400 mg twice daily, but has not been specifically studied for prevention of transmission. Once daily (800 mg) probably is OK, but I wouldn't recommend relying on it. Time of day of single dose therapy shouldn't make any difference. All these drugs are extremely safe with no known long term side effects.
LIke you, I hope some of the newer approaches to HSV vaccines will be productive, but I am not highly optimistic. Even if I'm wrong and a good vaccine emerges, it likely will take the better part of a decade before something actually becomes available -- so don't hold your breath.
I hope that helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
The efficacy of an uninfected person taking anti-herpes therapy in preventing HSV-2 infection has never been studied and isn't known. Logically it should be protective. If both the infected and uninfected members of a couple consistently take any of the anti-HSV drugs (acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir), I cannot imagine transmission taking place.
You are wrong about suppressive therapy and blood test results. If someone catches HSV-2, the blood test becomes positive. If it remains negative, no infection occurred.
For suppressive therapy to prevent transmission, I normally rely on valacylcovir 1.0 g once daily. Acyclovir probably works at a dose of 400 mg twice daily, but has not been specifically studied for prevention of transmission. Once daily (800 mg) probably is OK, but I wouldn't recommend relying on it. Time of day of single dose therapy shouldn't make any difference. All these drugs are extremely safe with no known long term side effects.
LIke you, I hope some of the newer approaches to HSV vaccines will be productive, but I am not highly optimistic. Even if I'm wrong and a good vaccine emerges, it likely will take the better part of a decade before something actually becomes available -- so don't hold your breath.
I hope that helps. Best wishes-- 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.
