[Question #7532] HIV Test Accuracy while taking Valacyclovir for HSV1

55 months ago

Hello,

This may be a repetitive question, but would like to get to the bottom of it as I’ve seen conflicting information from 5+ years ago.

The “exposure” was insertive oral with female, and yes I know the minimal risk of this. As I didn’t even test over the incident until 5 years later.

I’m on suppressive for HSV1 cold sores and only take it episodically usually, but the dose is 1g.

I had been taking this dose maybe 2gs during my testing. I did 4 self home oraquick saliva tests per instructions different days, different times and went to a clinic for a rapid blood prick INSTI test - all results were negative 5 years after episode.

My question is, does the valacyclovir time and high dose have any reaction and or possibility of causing false negatives on these tests taken while actively on it, and can I be confident in those results since all 5 tests look for antibodies rather then actual virus. I know you don’t like the oraquick tests, but I thought taking multiple would clear up my suspicions. Which ironically did not, hence why I went for the blood rapid insti test which I’ve heard was quite good.

Thank you

Edward W. Hook M.D.

55 months ago

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question. No dose of acyclovir has any activity against HIV and has no effect whatsoever on the accuracy of tests for HIV, irrespective of what sort of test is being done. You can have 100% confidence in your test results.

I hope this helps. If there are further questions, please used your up to two follow up questions for clarification. EWH

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55 months ago

Thank you for the reply, and it is what I suspected. Due to the nature of the other comments I’ve read and research studies I’ve looked over it’s been quite conflicting information, considering them stating high dose valtrex can lower hiv viral levels and then in return lowers hiv antibody levels. Which makes sense to me, but in my mind if someone were not on HAART but taking valtrex. The viral load may be a bit less but not even close to the level to diminish antibodies to undetectable levels with oral test or blood prick test.

Just to confirm. If someone was taking long term suppressive valtrex 1gram a day. No missed dose and had these hiv tests during that period. The valtrex would not diminish the hiv antibody levels at all?

Again. Thanks. Just trying to wrap my mind around that the extensive valtrex use for HSV1 both genital and oral has no ill effect on these results.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

55 months ago

A number of years ago there was conjecture that valaciclovir and related drugs might have direct antiviral activity against HIV. More recent studies have proven that this is not the case.

In addition, while I can can understand that one might assume that lower levels of virus might lead to lower antibody levels but in fa fact, that is not the case. Persons with HIV have variable antibody levels but this is more of a manifestation of person-to-person variation in antibody production than a reflection of differences in the amount of virus present.

Again, I can assure you that the valtrex you took had no impact on your HIV test results. EWH

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55 months ago

Thank you for your detailed reply. I’ll rest easy tonight. Have a great new year and best wishes in your life.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

55 months ago

Thanks for your thanks. Glad I help.EWH ---

55 months ago

Since I have one more question, may as well use it. Thanks again for your reply. I fully understand, and also learned from your last statement. So to clarify. Taking valtrex/valacyclovir everyday for suppressive hsv1 therapy for over a year, would not affect hiv antibody testing with oraquick or the such regardless of how long or how much valtrex was taken? Even if it was taken everyday for years?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

55 months ago

Correct.

EWH

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