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Reinfection
Hi.
I (36 y.o.) been blood tested HSV Type 2 Positive 2.57, but with no culture test. I think I got my first OB when I was 22 y.o. when I had the worst flu ever.
Right now, I'm dating a guy also with HSV2+.
My questions are:
1. What is the chance of re-infecting him.
2. What is the chance of re-infecting myself.
3. When am I infectious.
4. Currently, I think I am having an OB. This time it's more visible than the past ones I had. I have a hard time recognizing my OBs. How do I know when I am having an OB to prevent infection to my partner.
5. I have been on Valtrex 500mg and take higher doses when I think I am having OB. Can I build resistance to the
drug?
6. Should I stay on the Valtrex? My physician thinks for as long as my partner also has HSV, I do not need to worry about transmission.
Thank you for any information.
I (36 y.o.) been blood tested HSV Type 2 Positive 2.57, but with no culture test. I think I got my first OB when I was 22 y.o. when I had the worst flu ever.
Right now, I'm dating a guy also with HSV2+.
My questions are:
1. What is the chance of re-infecting him.
2. What is the chance of re-infecting myself.
3. When am I infectious.
4. Currently, I think I am having an OB. This time it's more visible than the past ones I had. I have a hard time recognizing my OBs. How do I know when I am having an OB to prevent infection to my partner.
5. I have been on Valtrex 500mg and take higher doses when I think I am having OB. Can I build resistance to the
drug?
6. Should I stay on the Valtrex? My physician thinks for as long as my partner also has HSV, I do not need to worry about transmission.
Thank you for any information.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi. If you have genital herpes due to HSV-2 and your partner does as well, there is little chance that either of you will infect the other. Your bodies have developed a degree of immunity which will prevent you from either transmitting your own infection to other parts of your own body or from getting infected with another person's HSV-2. Each has happened but it is so rare as to be a scientific novelty and not something to worry about. Let's get straight to your questions:
1. Close to zero
2. Same, see above
3. No him, probably not ever because he is already infected. To someone who is not already infected, you could be infectious at just about any time. You are somewhat more infectious when lesions are present than not (there is less virus present to cause transmission when lesions are not present but virus can be there- this is called asymptomatic shedding).
4. Worrying about transmission to him should not be a problem, based on the information you gave me. From the sounds of things, you are taking suppressive therapy and this should both reduce the frequency and severity of your outbreaks but it may not eliminate them. The effect of suppression is dose dependent. You might consider trying 1 gram and see if it doesn't do an even better job for you than 500 mg.
5. Resistance occurs but it is rare, occurring in less than 1% of persons. If your outbreaks become more severe, you should talk with an Infectious Diseases specialist who can arrange to have cultures taken and, if the culture is positive, the virus tested for resistance.
6. The reasons for staying on valacyclovir are if it makes you feel better by having fewer and less severe outbreaks. Transmission to your partner is not really a concern in your situation.
Good questions. I hope this helps. EWH
1. Close to zero
2. Same, see above
3. No him, probably not ever because he is already infected. To someone who is not already infected, you could be infectious at just about any time. You are somewhat more infectious when lesions are present than not (there is less virus present to cause transmission when lesions are not present but virus can be there- this is called asymptomatic shedding).
4. Worrying about transmission to him should not be a problem, based on the information you gave me. From the sounds of things, you are taking suppressive therapy and this should both reduce the frequency and severity of your outbreaks but it may not eliminate them. The effect of suppression is dose dependent. You might consider trying 1 gram and see if it doesn't do an even better job for you than 500 mg.
5. Resistance occurs but it is rare, occurring in less than 1% of persons. If your outbreaks become more severe, you should talk with an Infectious Diseases specialist who can arrange to have cultures taken and, if the culture is positive, the virus tested for resistance.
6. The reasons for staying on valacyclovir are if it makes you feel better by having fewer and less severe outbreaks. Transmission to your partner is not really a concern in your situation.
Good questions. I hope this helps. EWH
Thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dr. Hook is away for a few days.
When someone already has HSV-2 (or HSV-1) , resistance to the same virus type is body-wide. Assuming your mutual diagnoses of HSV-2 are correct, and your partner can participate in any sexual practices that please you, without fear of transmission.
When someone already has HSV-2 (or HSV-1) , resistance to the same virus type is body-wide. Assuming your mutual diagnoses of HSV-2 are correct, and your partner can participate in any sexual practices that please you, without fear of transmission.
Thank you very much for the information. It was very helpful and answered my nagging questions.
Does the close to zero refection rate apply to other parts of my body like eyes and face?
Thank you again.
Does the close to zero refection rate apply to other parts of my body like eyes and face?
Thank you again.
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
