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Solutions for Multiple Outbreaks
Hi all. I have had herpes 2 in my genitals for two years now and my girlfriend recently went to the gynecologist and asked about risks associated with having sex with me, etc. She mentioned that I experience between 8 and 10 outbreaks per year and her gynecologist suggested that I may have another underlying condition, infection perhaps that results in so many outbreaks. Last month a started taking 800mg of acyclovir daily to see if that would reduce my outbreaks and shedding. I have a few questions regarding my situation:
1. If I have an outbreak nearly every month, could it be that my immune system is compromised or could it have no relation to it? I am very healthy, don't smoke, seldomly drink, exercise, etc.
2. For a person like me who has multiple outbreaks a year, by how much can taking acyclovir reduce the frequency and how much can it reduce the shedding? In other words, is it possible to go down to maybe one outbreak a year from taking acyclovir daily? And can I reduce the shedding by around 95% as has been suggested by some studies I have read about?
3. What can I do in my daily life to increase my immune response, nutritional advice, supplemental advice, vitamins, even exercise plans, I am open to anything.
For me the most important thing is to suppress herpes as much as possible so that my girlfriend and I can be intimate with the minimal amount of preoccupation as possible. We are very open about it but at the same time I don't want it to be an issue all the time.
Thank you..
1. If I have an outbreak nearly every month, could it be that my immune system is compromised or could it have no relation to it? I am very healthy, don't smoke, seldomly drink, exercise, etc.
2. For a person like me who has multiple outbreaks a year, by how much can taking acyclovir reduce the frequency and how much can it reduce the shedding? In other words, is it possible to go down to maybe one outbreak a year from taking acyclovir daily? And can I reduce the shedding by around 95% as has been suggested by some studies I have read about?
3. What can I do in my daily life to increase my immune response, nutritional advice, supplemental advice, vitamins, even exercise plans, I am open to anything.
For me the most important thing is to suppress herpes as much as possible so that my girlfriend and I can be intimate with the minimal amount of preoccupation as possible. We are very open about it but at the same time I don't want it to be an issue all the time.
Thank you..
Best Answer
Thank you Zeffel.
My girlfriend's gynecologist i feel is misinformed. Ive since had an HIV test and it came back negative, which was my only concern..honestly it only concerned me because her gynecologist thought it was the reason for my outbreaks..
My girlfriend's gynecologist i feel is misinformed. Ive since had an HIV test and it came back negative, which was my only concern..honestly it only concerned me because her gynecologist thought it was the reason for my outbreaks..
I have had HSV 2 for about 3 years. Outbreaks 8-10 months a year. The only thing that literally stops my outbreak in its tracks is Valtrex. I take two 1GM Valtrex when I think/tell that I am about to have an outbreak. I have no other history of STDs in my life, nor I am unhealthy. I would not be concerned about something else going on with you. I used to worry all the time something was going on with me since I get outbreaks so much, but test after test shows nothing else is.
no, taking more acyclovir doesn't increase the effectiveness actually. There is a point where more doesn't make any significant difference which is why they picked the doses they did. At the 400mg twice a day suppressive therapy, it consistently reduced symptoms and shedding for the vast majority of people with hsv2.
why should your partner get tested even though she's evidently had limited partners prior to you? well important for you both to know your hsv1 and hsv2 status prior to sexual contact. Even if she can't recall ever having had a cold sore, she might still have hsv1 so important to know.
why should your partner get tested even though she's evidently had limited partners prior to you? well important for you both to know your hsv1 and hsv2 status prior to sexual contact. Even if she can't recall ever having had a cold sore, she might still have hsv1 so important to know.
The marginal benefit is probably not worth it. The prescribed dosage achieves a strong level of effectiveness and if you take more it is probably lost to your system and may increase your chances of side effects.
Hi Fleetwood20,
And would increasing my intake of acyclovir to 1000mg a day increase its effectiveness in any way?
And would increasing my intake of acyclovir to 1000mg a day increase its effectiveness in any way?
I think Grace was referring to whether your partner may have brought HSV2 into the relationship and infected you (but you indicate this isn't the case at all) or maybe has become infected already without symptoms emerging at this point.
If your partner is or becomes infected then there may be a different decision regarding the use of antivirals.
If your partner is or becomes infected then there may be a different decision regarding the use of antivirals.
Hi Grace,
Thank you for your response. My girlfriend has not been tested for any disease and there's no need to because she's never really been with anyone before me. Why do you ask, am I missing something?
Also, as for my diet, does taking suppressive therapy mean that eating trigger foods will have no effect or is it still best to avoid them?
And final question, would increasing my daily intake of acyclovir from 800mg to 1000mg increase its effectiveness? I currently am not experiencing any side effects so im not worried of its effect on my system..
Thank you for your response. My girlfriend has not been tested for any disease and there's no need to because she's never really been with anyone before me. Why do you ask, am I missing something?
Also, as for my diet, does taking suppressive therapy mean that eating trigger foods will have no effect or is it still best to avoid them?
And final question, would increasing my daily intake of acyclovir from 800mg to 1000mg increase its effectiveness? I currently am not experiencing any side effects so im not worried of its effect on my system..
HI, it would be best for you to download a few of the herpes handbooks written by Terri Warren and published by westover heights. They are free and all your concerns would be addressed in these aritcles.
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
so what do you and your gf do? You taking acyclovir 400mg twice a day , every single day ( i.e. suppressive therapy ) will reduce the number of ob's you have by about 70% on average. It also reduces viral shedding by about 80% on average. You will still have some recurrences but they should be significantly less than before suppressive therapy. You will still periodically still shed the herpes virus, both with obvious recurrences and in between them however it will be significantly less which helps to reduce the risk of transmission to your gf.
anything you should change about your diet or supplements to start taking? No there is not other than to eat healthy in general for good overall health. The suppressive therapy will be controlling your herpes!
Did your gf have a type specific herpes igg blood test before you started to be intimate?
grace