Sudden Increase in Outbreaks

[Wink130]

Hello,
I've had herpes since I was a teenager (HSV-2, I believe, based on the overall frequency of the outbreaks). For years, the outbreaks were occasional and moderate -- itchy, then painful, lasting for several days, then going away completely. In my 30's, the outbreaks became quite rare, but I started taking Acyclovir to protect my partner (he never got it). Eventually, I stopped taking it except when I felt an outbreak coming on, and it was always effective at preventing or dramatically shortening outbreaks. Now, I'm 41, and in the past month, things have been a mess! I had a pretty bad outbreak -- one medium sore and several small bumps -- after being sick. The sore went away in a few days, but since then I've had almost non-stop small outbreaks. I went to Planned Parenthood (I don't have health insurance until January) and got a new prescription for Acyclovir. I've been taking 2-3 pills a day for two-and-a-half weeks, but the small outbreaks continue! They are minor and go away more quickly than usual, but they keep coming! I got so freaked out, I took a home HIV test (it was negative, thank God). I've been doing a lot of online research, and I have come across a few other posts from women around my age range who seem to have experienced similar situations. My current partner has HSV-2, as well (sadly, I think he got it from me) -- he's only ever had one minor outbreak. I've been trying lysine combined with zinc and Vitamin C in conjunction with the Acyclovir, but it doesn't seem to be helping. One other note: the outbreaks, as I mentioned, aren't really similar to my previous outbreaks. They're smaller and more pimple-like, and my glands don't get sore or swollen at all, which always used to happen when I had an outbreak.
Sorry this is a lot of information, but I just don't know what's going on with me! Any help?! Thank you!

[Wink130]

Thank you again for your response. Yes, I'm wondering if this may be related to hormonal swings -- last month, my period was weirdly early, and I have other symptoms of perimenopause. It's interesting that most of the literature on herpes says that symptoms tend to abate over the years, but I've read multiple posts online from women who say theirs have increased with the onset of perimenopause or menopause.

[catinbarefeet]

To be frank, if you didn't really know your HSV type before, it could have been HSV-1, and in that case there's a possibility you contracted Type 2 from your partner. But this is just a hypothesis - one of many.

Is your partner sure he has HSV-2? Does he have a definitive test result?

One other thing I didn't mention is that our time of life can be a factor in increased recurrences. I'm experiencing this myself, having passed the 50-year mark. My recurrences had been quite rare, but in the last couple of years, I've had several. Dr. Anna Wald at the University of Washington confirmed to me last August that hormonal changes can be a factor in triggering recurrences. The answer could be that simple.

[Wink130]

Thank you for your response. Do you mind telling me how that knowledge might help me? I know that HSV-2 tends to cause more recurrences…
Thanks.

[catinbarefeet]

It will be worth it to both of you to get tested right away, together, with an IgG type-specific blood test, to determine which HSV type each of you is carrying. Don't wait - the test results could be informative. Make sure you ask for the type-specific test, rather than the combination test, and make sure it's the IgG. You could also ask for the Western Blot, which is the better test, but will take longer.

Also, the very next time you have a fresh set of bumps have them swabbed right away, before 48 hours or so is up, or you risk a false negative.