Risk of infection

[Jerseyworried123]

Hello,

I had what i believe to be a risky exposure to herpes. I drank from the same cup as someone who was recovering from a cold sore (appeared to b dry and scabbing over). After i realized that person had a cold sore i went to my local emergency room and the doctor gave me a prescription for valtrex (valacyclovir) to try to prevent an hsv infection. I consumed 4 tablets of 500mg valtrex less than 4 hours after my exposure and then another 4 tablets 12 hours later. My question is what would be my risk of a hsv infection in this case since i received post exposure treatment immediately, and after how long do you recommend i wait to have a blood test to confirm whether i was infected or not? Is herpes ever asymptomatic when its oral (simplex 1)?

Thank you so much

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

You're welcome

Terri

[Jerseyworried123]

I want to thank you again for your responses and attentiveness.

My curiosity and nerves over the exposure led me to do some research; i learned that most experts agree that the virus doesnt live in room temperature for much longer than 10 seconds. In my case a few minutes went by before i took a sip out of the cup.

You professional opinion and the information i uncovered from this research have helped to calm my nerves and doubts.

Thank you so much again

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Autoinnoculation is rare, especially when people are aware that they have herpes, and it almost always happens with first episode infection.

Again, I think the chances are very low that you got herpes at this encounter.

Terri

[Jerseyworried123]

Thank you very much for your response. I am a 22 year old male and i have had past hsv blood tests and tested negative for both. I know that contracting this virus is not the end of the world but i would like to avoid it if possible. In particular because i am aware that autoinoculation is possible and would hate to accidenatlLy infect myself in the genital region or in the eyes.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I think the risk of acquiring HSV 1 from this kind of contact is so very very small.  It isn't zero, but close to it.  Probably taking the medication as you did might help a little, we have no research on that issue.  But it is the proper dose for the treatment of a cold sore.  It is also helpful that the cold sore was healing.

Have you ever had an antibody test for herpes in the past?  If not, you might want to obtaina baseline antibody test now and repeat it in 4 months.  About 70% of people who are infected with HSV 1 report no history of symptomatic cold sores and 56% of people between the ages of 14-49 have HSV 1 infection.  I don't know your age, but if you are in this group or older, there is more than a 50-50 chance that you are already infected.  For most people, it is no big deal at all and even when symptomatic, can easily be treated.

Terri