HSV-1 Transmission to Genitals

[rafaella454]

I am worried that I may have genital herpes from a cold sore.
I stupidly gave unprotected oral sex to my partner with an active cold sore and then had brief intercourse right after.
It is now six days later and I have had a burning sensation for at least three days.  Today I noticed an area
that has two little red spots on the top part of my vagnia,almost near the hair line that look a little raw.
No bumps or blisters. I also have been taking acyclovir for the past two weeks to treat the cold sore.
My urine came back neg for a UIT and I plan to see my MD. Does this sound like
herpes?  Very concerned and worried. Thanks for any information.

[gracefromHHP]

no, taking antivirals doesn't protect you from contracting hsv2.

being on antivirals early on would keep you from having a full blown ob if indeed you were infected.

At this point get your partner tested and see what their status is and go from there.


grace

[rafaella454]

Sorry I have more questions as I am anxiously waiting results.

1. During the time in which I may have been exposed to the HSV-2 virus I had taken 1gm of valtrex then 12 hours later another gm for treatment of a cold sore.
I then took the acyclovir 400mg tid and for the five days and I am still taking the 400mg gd. Would this have given me any protection from the virus?

2. Do you always have an initial outbreak after being exposed to the HSV-2  or would   being on the medication suppresse an initial outbreak? Having said that can a burning sensation and two small red dots,no blister or bumps be related to an initial outbreak of the herpes virus? The symptoms have subsided and lasted for four days.

3. Once someone is pos for the HSV-2 virus should they be on a suppressive therapy of valtrex or just take it with for an out break? If taken it for an outbreak what is the reccommend dose?

4. If the blood test comes back neg,how long do you have to wait to be retested?
Thanks again for all your help.

[rafaella454]

Thanks for all your help.  I went to the doctors today and everything checked out ok.
I asked for the herpes blood test to see what my status is and recommended my partner to be tested asap,however he informed me that his previous partner was pos for genital herpes and he has never had an outbreak.  So not sure were I stand at this point.

[gracefromHHP]

You wouldn't have signs of a newly acquired herpes infection a few hours after the encounter.

No, just half a tab of acyclovir daily isn't the proper dose for suppressive therapy. With acyclovir it's 400mg 2x/day every single day.

the 800mg 3x/day for 2 days dose works just as well for recurrences and is easier to take!

grace

[rafaella454]

Just wanted to ask one more question.   I gave unprotected oral sex to my partner and within hours after the session I broke out in a cold sore. My partner has not been tested yet,so my question is can you break out in lesions that soon after the session if someone was pos for the HSV-2 virus with no syptoms or is it an episode of my own virus. I have a history of cold sores,in which I have had two break outs within one month.
Hope this makes sense,because I am really confused.

[rafaella454]

Hi
Thanks for the info,however I am confused about the transmission of HSV-1 and HSV-2
with oral sex if you could clairfy that.  The acyclovir was prescribe as 400mg three times a day for five days and then I was told I can take a half a tab prophylaxis.

[gracefromHHP]

You will not give yourself back your hsv1 genitally.

You need to go and be seen and get tested for yeast and bacterial vaginal infections.  Since you are already on acyclovir, a lesion culture if the genital lesions look herpetic will be useless.

cold sore treatment is 800mg 3x/day for 2 days, not 2 weeks.

Has your partner ever been tested for herpes to know their status - especially hsv2?

grace