Hsv1 female to male transmission

[ghGaas1]

I was recently diagnosed with oral hsv1. I have always known I get cold sores although it's been two years since I last got one.

I didn't know however till recently that the virus can be active on the skin without a cold sore present. I don't want to transmit the virus to my boyfriend anywhere on his body. We have already had oral sex without the use of condoms. My doctor prescribed me valtrex to suppress the virus. Will this actually lower the chance of transmission? Will it have long term side effects on my body?

[WellinformedPerson]

Valtrex is not as effective on hsv1 as it is on hsv2. Does your boyfriend know whether or not he is positive for hsv1? There is a good chance he is already infected and doesn't know it  If he is not infected, does he know that he can get an hsv1 infection by receiving oral sex from you? If so, he is an adult and making that decision with complete knowledge.

If you avoid oral sex when symptoms are present, the risk of transmitting your infection to your boyfriend is probably low, but there is no way to know without knowing how much asymptomatic shedding you have going on - it varies widely from person to person.

[WellinformedPerson]

Also, I guess I question whether you need to be on Valtrex at all because it sounds like your outbreaks are very infrequent.

I do not think there are many side effects for the vast majority of people that take Valtrex.