Risk of spreading infection

[Jamz4]

I am in a serious relationship. My Herpes experience started at age 19 and im now 41. My relationship is going very well and we discussed this to be upfront about my health. I've seemed to control this fairly well with 500mg of L-Lysine which has mixed stories but also diet has seemed to help for the last 3 years really nothing. She and I use protection during most sexual encounters but the other day she gave me oral without any protection and then less than 24 hours later I noticed a sore start to form down there. I know it was not there when we did this so what is the chance she will get this? I'm not sure what the comfort zone is to not spread this to someone I love.
Its also less than 24 hours from notice of that and it is starting to heal easily enough.
Is diet and L-Lysine really a factor to help keep this at bay or have I been lucky?

Thank you,
James

[Still_Worried_]

I read from a previous post that you have HSV II.  From everything I've read & per Dr. HHH & Hook, oral acquisition of HSV II is very rare.  I agree it's possible, but exceedingly unlikely.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

There is nothing whatsoever, in the way of diet, that shown to make a difference in humans with herpes.  I never recommend that my patients change their diet to help their herpes because there is no science to back it up.  

In my mind, keeping yourself generally healthy and fit and happy is the best way to deal with herpes from a non-medicine point of view.

Terri

[Jamz4]

Conflicting information is an understatement. It is hard to research because the lines of advice cross.
My diet has to rid itself of oatmeal, orangejuice, bananas, nuts, white flour, sugar, chocolate and anything else that has a high dose of arginine ratio to lysine. Yet I ned the oatmeal to keep cholesteral in check and OJ for vitamin C yet work around everything else. If indeed there is a merit to lysine vs arigine ratio to consider.
To keep the immune system strong you need to get plenty of both rest and exercise but too much exervice and it can cause stress on the body and bring out the sores.
!!!Ugh!!! Pleeeeze!
I will get back on the Valtrex and try to get a handle on it. I don't know if it effects my vitamin and nutrient diet or if I should add something to aid in its fight but we shall see. I'm clearing up now and mostly thing my several nights on the town with alcohol started this up but obviously it is just a reminder to me that it is not going anywhere.

I really apreciate your help and this site. I wish this would have existed when I was 20. This is no fun going through by yourself.

[Still_Worried_]

Does long term use of antiviral therapy impact the kidneys or any other organ?   Are there typically no side effects from long term use?

So much conflicting information on this.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Taking antiviral therapy reduces transmission to a sex partner by almost half.  (Corey, Jan, 2004).  In my mind that's a pretty simple and very effective thing to do to help protect an uninfected partner though it doesn't offer a guarantee.  It does not impact your liver.  
In terms of HSV 2 transmission via oral sex.  It is true that if someone is infected orally, the virus is shed very infrequently and transmission is unlikely from the mouth of a person infected with HSV 2.  However, about 10% of people who get HSV 2 genitally for the first time also get it orally - they give oral sex to and have intercourse with the same person.  Its just that HSV 2 really doesn't like the mouth and doesn't recur or shed much there.  

Terri

[Jamz4]

I'm sorry. I did have that open question.
When I was young and first diagnosed the only thing out was zoviraz pill or cream.
I had nightmares of those little blue pills! I took so many I guess that my stomach was upset all the time and I think my digestive system was taking a beating.
I read somewhere that they were hard on the liver and that a natural approach would be best but of course the information on "natural" was sketchy.
My best answer to you is that my information and reason for taking it has not been backed up with a lot of information about its success or side effects. The fight to keep my immune system strong and stay on a better diet works on lots of things besides that. Other than this little friend I have to have, I can't remember the last time I was sick.
I do have a perscription of Valtrex but as I said earlier that it has been 3 years since I had to deal with this.
If you have some insight on this and better recommendation for use of Valtrex or anything that can help me, believe me I am all ears.
Sorry for my delayed answer.

James

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Again, is there a reason you aren't taking daily antiviral therapy?

Terri

[Jamz4]

Thanks for your comments. I can't get a handle on any of this after over 20 years. It has been pretty much non existant for the last 3 years and I kinda forgot about it. It didnt forget about me though! Some friends and I had a few nights in a row of tequila, beer and old times laughs which steered me off my diet, exercise and better selections routine and then there it shows up again after all this time. I am so disappointed! I should have known better. The thought of me having this is bad enough but I can not give this to someone else.
Thanks again.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I would observe her lip and mouth very carefully over the next 10 days.  It is certainly possible that she could contract herpes orally through this contact.

There is no scientific evidence, through a metanalysis, that Lysine works, though some individuals feel that it helps them.  Is there a reason you aren't taking one of the antiviral therapies?  Acyclovir daily costs about 16$ per month, and you can reduce transmission by half.

Terri