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Valtrex and Herpes Infection Risk
First of all thank you for your help in advance. I have been dating a girl now for a couple months, we have probably had sex 10 times in total....the intercourse was always protected, the oral was not. Last night I noticed she had a Valtrex prescription in her washroom.....I am not a doctor but I'm pretty sure the only thing you take that for is genital herpes. I am now panicking like crazy because I am sure that I have been infected, and have not brought it up to her yet because I am so furious that she was that irresponsible and putting my health at risk for not telling me.
Based on the circumstances....how at risk am I? I hear that condoms don't really fully protect, and the unprocted oral could infect me as well, but I also have read that Valtrex reduces the spread of the disease? I never noticed any sores on her or me, but I am frightened terribly that the next day I am going to wake up with sores, which would pretty much ruin my sex life for good.
Thank you for any advice.
Based on the circumstances....how at risk am I? I hear that condoms don't really fully protect, and the unprocted oral could infect me as well, but I also have read that Valtrex reduces the spread of the disease? I never noticed any sores on her or me, but I am frightened terribly that the next day I am going to wake up with sores, which would pretty much ruin my sex life for good.
Thank you for any advice.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, that you weren't snooping -- i.e., you ran into your partner's valacyclovir (Valtrex) prescription by accident.
The majority of valacyclovir prescriptions are written for genital herpes. However, it is also prescribed frequently for oral herpes; or perhaps somewhere along the line she had an outbreak of herpes zoster (shingles). But for the rest of this reply let's assume she has genital herpes.
Even without treatment, the chance of infecting you probably was quite low. Among mongamous couples in which one person has herpes and the other doesn't, who have unprotected sex an average of 2-3 times per week, HSV-2 is transmitted in only 1 in 20 couples per year. That translates to one transmission for about every 2,000 episodes of sex. Since you used condoms, which are perhaps 80-90% effective against herpes, and had sex with your partner only 10 times, the chance you were infected is extremely low. The valacyclovir would have reduced that risk by at least another 50%. Finally, the fact that you haven't noticed any symptoms is further evidence you weren't infected. By itself, none of these factors is foolproof. But considering all factors together--only 10 exposures, condom use, your partner's valacyclovir treatment, and lack of symptoms--the chances you have been infected are virtually zero.
What do do now? Most experts agree your partner should have told you of her infection. But as I said above, perhaps there is another reason for the prescription. And even if she has genital herpes, I hope you will approach this with kindness and understanding. She might have been waiting for the right moment; might have genuinely believed she was protecting you sufficiently; might have been frightened of your possible reaction; and so on.
Also consider the future of the relationship. Herpes is mostly a minor deal. If this relationship is rewarding and especially if you believe it has a long term future, please don't let herpes interfere; herpes is too trivial to be allowed to have that effect. But if from your perspective this is only a fling, or if you remain uncertain about its future, then taking precautions against infection makes sense.
Finally, you can always have a blood test to see if you are susceptible. Half the population has HSV-1 and 20% has HSV-2, so you could already be infected with your partner's HSV type. If so, you can't catch it again and there are no worries.
Bottom line: Not much risk here. You'll need to work on the relationship issues.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
The majority of valacyclovir prescriptions are written for genital herpes. However, it is also prescribed frequently for oral herpes; or perhaps somewhere along the line she had an outbreak of herpes zoster (shingles). But for the rest of this reply let's assume she has genital herpes.
Even without treatment, the chance of infecting you probably was quite low. Among mongamous couples in which one person has herpes and the other doesn't, who have unprotected sex an average of 2-3 times per week, HSV-2 is transmitted in only 1 in 20 couples per year. That translates to one transmission for about every 2,000 episodes of sex. Since you used condoms, which are perhaps 80-90% effective against herpes, and had sex with your partner only 10 times, the chance you were infected is extremely low. The valacyclovir would have reduced that risk by at least another 50%. Finally, the fact that you haven't noticed any symptoms is further evidence you weren't infected. By itself, none of these factors is foolproof. But considering all factors together--only 10 exposures, condom use, your partner's valacyclovir treatment, and lack of symptoms--the chances you have been infected are virtually zero.
What do do now? Most experts agree your partner should have told you of her infection. But as I said above, perhaps there is another reason for the prescription. And even if she has genital herpes, I hope you will approach this with kindness and understanding. She might have been waiting for the right moment; might have genuinely believed she was protecting you sufficiently; might have been frightened of your possible reaction; and so on.
Also consider the future of the relationship. Herpes is mostly a minor deal. If this relationship is rewarding and especially if you believe it has a long term future, please don't let herpes interfere; herpes is too trivial to be allowed to have that effect. But if from your perspective this is only a fling, or if you remain uncertain about its future, then taking precautions against infection makes sense.
Finally, you can always have a blood test to see if you are susceptible. Half the population has HSV-1 and 20% has HSV-2, so you could already be infected with your partner's HSV type. If so, you can't catch it again and there are no worries.
Bottom line: Not much risk here. You'll need to work on the relationship issues.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Oral herpes risks HSV-1 genital infection, but the chance of getting it for any particular epiosde of oral sex is vanishingly low if the oral partner isn't having a visible oral herpes outbreak. Anyway, there's a 50-50 chance you're already infected with HSV-1 (half of all adults), in which case you're immune.
In theory, shaving might increase the risk slightly. I have never seen herpes in the shaved (pubic hair) area, so if there is an increased risk, it is too small to worry about.
In theory, shaving might increase the risk slightly. I have never seen herpes in the shaved (pubic hair) area, so if there is an increased risk, it is too small to worry about.
A related discussion, Calm Down was started.
I had also shaved my genital area the day of intercourse, would that make my skin more succeptable to herpes transmission from my partner? and would the unprotected oral put me at a high risk of getting herpes if she had no symptoms at the time?
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.
