[Question #10337] HSV-1 treatment/transmission

23 months ago

I'm a male and have HSV-1 in my genital area. I got it in 2015. Two questions:

1. If I have an outbreak in the genital area, is it possible or likely that I transfer it to my mouth, thus causing more frequent (and public) outbreaks?

2. Is there a medication that will suppress all possible outbreaks? Are there side effects to the drug?
I'd rather not worry about shedding and outbreaks at all. Every time I have any abnormal skin reaction down there, I get worried.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

23 months ago

1. No. The infection is well established genitally and it is extremely unlikely that you would subsequently acquire it orally

2. There are three medications approved to treat HSV - the most commonly used ones are valacyclovir (Valtrex) and acyclovir (Zovirax). Very side effects.

People who have HSV 1 genitally for two years shed virus on about 4 days out of the year. You are likely to shed even less, given the long duration of your infection. Given the infrequent outbreaks and shedding, we cannot really know how much benefit daily antiviral medication would provide for you. Are you having recurrent outbreaks?

Terri

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23 months ago

I never know when it's an outbreak or not. But, about every two years I have something that I think may be shedding. It causes some temporary skin discoloration. I'd rather not worry at all and just take the medication, so long as the side effects aren't bad. Would the daily anti-viral stop all shedding and outbreaks?

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

23 months ago

It would not be certain to stop all outbreaks or shedding, no. But it would reduce the frequency, most likely

Terri

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23 months ago

Thanks. Last question, I know I have HSV-1 down there. Could it be possible I got HSV-2 over a year ago (only possible time) and it's manifesting now? Or would an HSV-2 outbreak, on top of the HSV-1, have to manifest in the same 7-10 day window? It's unlikely, but I'm just curious.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

23 months ago

You could certainly acquire HSV 2 as well as HSV 1, correct. A swab test would tell you that or an antibody test if the acquisition was a year ago. yes, the manifestation window is about the same - 2 to 10 days

Terri

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