Spreading Herpes And Bell's Palsy

[Samson1957]

I have had Bell's Palsy for 12 -15 years.  I don't remember when I first noticed it.  This week my husband had his first outbreak of Herpes Type II.  I have never had any outbreak and do understand that I could have had it all these years because it could have been dormant.  My two questions:
1)  Can the virus be reactivated and call more damage to the nerve and therefore more paralysis.  I have 30% paralyis on the right side of my face now.  
2) If both my husband and I have Herpes Type II already, what are the risks related to us both now that we already have it.
Thank you for your time.

[gracefromHHP]

Also how was your husband diagnosed as having hsv2? Was it just a visual diagnosis? Did they do testing? If they did a lesion culture did it come back specifically as hsv2 or just hsv+ and assumed hsv2 because it was in the genital area? Not all genital herpes is due to hsv2 - a good percentage of it is due to hsv1 too.  Can you or hubby recall ever having cold sores?

grace

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your Bell's palsy may not be related to herpes. Even if it is, your husband's illness/outbreak is unlikely to put you at risk for reactivation or worsening of your Bell's palsy.  

I do think it is worthwhile for you to get checked to find out your HSV status with a gG-based blood test such as the HerpeSelect.  If indeed you both have HSV-2, neither of you need to be concerned about exposure to each other.  Hope this is helpful  EWH