Genital Herpes: Useful info for those looking for answers like me!

That is a very good question! Since gHSV-1 sheds a lot less, transmission is greatly reduced in general, but if it were to shed and someone was giving you oral at the time, in theory you would expect it to more likely pass due to its oral preference. However, there are no studies on this, plus many people already have oral Type 1 (often without symptoms), making it not much of an issue. Kissing someone with it orally is by far the bigger risk.

Hey Felis... I'm back to hound you for information

So I was initially diagnosed start of April with GHSV2. I had two months free of OB s then and thought I was one of the lucky few. However once I got my second outbreak I've now gotten once every 3 wks on average... Major sad face. They aren't even severe, not painful but can be quite annoying.. Backs of legs and all the area from lower tummy to legs gets super sensitive and nervy. There are barely any physical spots, just the one itchy one usually, but it's there and very much there way more than I thought it would be.

So I'm in Ireland where they don't do suppressive therapy for it.. But I've made an appointment to see someone in the Well Woman clinic as I know my own doctor won't give it to me. I'm pretty much going to plead with them that if I end up in a relationship would they consider me for suppressive as if not then I'd never be able to have sex! I'm just trying to work out how much it would cost me though, it's €18 for 10 x 500mg tabs here and I've seen mixed threads online for the recommended dosage for suppressive, some saying 500mg a day but some saying if more than 10 OB's a year then it's 1000mg a day, which would be €100 a month, which I could not afford just wondered if you'd come across a definitive?

I've got a date next week, my first since being diagnosed, and although it'd be a while before I'd tell anyone I'd still like to have an idea of what I'd tell someone my plan would be if I was in a relationship.

Sorry to hear you're having outbreaks on such a relatively frequent basis, but congrats about the new date! Do your recurrences normally precede your period, btw? Just curious.

Regarding the meds, given your frequency and with this being the first year of infection as well, I would do 1000 mg of valacyclovir. Or you could start on 500 mg and see if that prevents outbreaks. If not, then go up to 1000 mg. That is what they suggest. Anything higher makes no real difference.

As a cheaper alternative, you may wish to consider 400 mg of acyclovir twice daily. Bit more of a pain to take, but should be just as effective and cheaper. I was told by one HSV expert that although you don't have to, it's best to actually split the 1000 mg of valacyclovir into two 500 mg doses per day (ensures more even med levels throughout the day), in which case it would be no different to taking acyclovir twice daily! If I ever take the meds daily, I will try acyclovir first.

I don't even get regular periods so it's not preceding them... It just seems to be coming on every few weeks regardless of circumstances. I eat well, exercise, sleep well... Have cut down alcohol and am taking lysine and echinacea - and still getting OB's every few weeks

Are there pros and cons of valacyclovir over acyclovir? Just wondering why I'd choose to go for the more expensive one if they both do the same job! To be honest I'd pay the money now anyway if it were a case of being in a relationship, my worry is that they won't actually prescribe it to me even though I get OB's so often ... I don't know why but its just not done over here! My appointment is in the morning so I have fingers and toes crossed for them having some compassion for this sh*tty situation!

Have you tried just taking a simple multivitamin and/or extra vitamin C with zinc? If the lysine isn't helping, I'd stop it.

Valacyclovir has greater bioavailability; it breaks down into acyclovir inside the body, thus directly delivering more of the drug, etc. It also lasts longer in the body. That's why you can take just the one pill or take it once daily (even at 1000 mg, although I was advised to split it up if I was worried). That is the main benefit/difference. Many people seem to prefer it, claiming it's more effective, but acyclovir should be just as effective if taken correctly, but I guess people react differently.

I have a feeling that the NHS may only offer acyclovir. Not 100% sure on that, so let me know! I am pretty sure a doctor would prescribe it to you, however, if you're getting outbreaks every 3 weeks. Just find a sympathetic doctor, make it sound worse than it is, lol, and come prepared with printed info on suppressive therapy (e.g. CDC website is reputable). If that still doesn't work, say this is what you want to try regardless, so is the NHS able to help, or are you going to have to buy dodgy meds online? Something similar worked for one person here!

I take Vit D, Vit B, evening primrose, omega and iron but not Vit C or zinc. I've had all my levels checked cos I'm a veggie and am conscious of being deficient in anything but they are all good... I don't feel in the slightest bit run down or anything to be honest, although I know you never know what goes on inside the body. But certainly I haven't been so low that I've been getting it this often for the last 5 months

In the Republic of Ireland we don't have the NHS, we have our own appalling health system. Every doctors visit and every single bit of medication is paid for unless you hold a medical card (which You have to be flat broke to get), hence my worry over the cost. It'll cost €1500 for a years supply of Valtrex. The doctors can also be pretty backwards in helping at times. I spoke to mine when I was initially diagnosed and all he said about suppressive therapy was "no, never heard of that, we don't offer that here"... And he is by no means one of the worst doctors. So I'm hoping that my visit with the clinic will be a bit more promising. They see people like me a lot and hopefully have more idea or how much it can affect your life, emotionally rather than physically. The severity of OB isn't an issue but the frequency really is. I am always either mid out break or just getting over one... I mean how can you have any chance at a relationship like that?!

Oops, my mistake about which Ireland you're in! Sorry, but I was thinking Northern for some reason. Oh, that really sucks about your healthcare, but even more reason to consider acyclovir. It should be cheaper, is just as good against shedding, and has a longer track record (the original herpes drug). Only thing is you need to take it twice daily, so it's more of a hassle.

That's really unfortunate how you are getting recurrences so often. I'm hoping it's because it's still fairly new for you and your body is still adapting. First year is supposed to be the worst, and you are only about halfway. Vitamin C is good for overall health and immunity, as is zinc, which is also good against herpes (at least topical zinc, but possibly oral as well - jury still out on that), so I just pop an effervescent in a glass of water near daily. Figure it can't hurt!

I was sent on my way with a "sorry we don't offer that in Ireland" ... To say I'm upset is an understatement 😢

I bet you were especially when you have a public healthcare system that you'd think should be able to help you out with stuff like this! Failing your healthcare system, I had a look online for you. SuperDrug and MedExpress both sell acyclovir and valacyclovir online (including to Ireland), and a year's supply of daily suppressive therapy looked to be around £200 (about €250) and £400 (about €500), respectively. Much cheaper than what you mentioned! Did you look up Valtrex instead of generic valacyclovir? And acyclovir is half the cost of the latter, so even better!

I looked on MedExpress and they don't ship to Ireland because it's illegal here (of course it is, we are that backward 🙄 but I've just text a friend of mine in Northern Ireland which is considered UK and she said I can ship to her place and she'll send it on.

I saw Valtrex on MedExpress for £400 a year for 500mg a day but I would need to double that for 1000mg a day.

I will look up Superdrug now! Thanks for the help Felis

Ha, I thought MedExpress covered Ireland, because it ships to all EU. SuperDrug has an Ireland-specific site, so they should for sure. Prices are comparable. I would seriously start low/cheap first, so 2 x 400 mg acyclovir daily, failing that 500 mg valacyclovir, then 1000 mg valacyclovir if you are still getting regular breakthrough outbreaks on that (you can try it out with a 3-month supply first). That would be my suggestion. In any case, it's still much cheaper than €1,500!! And glad I could help.

Superdrug only sell a select few things in Ireland and herpes medication isn't one of them 🙄 Do you think sites like MedExpress can be trusted as safe and to sell genuine medication?

Really? I looked at their Ireland site and was able to look up herpes medications, so it seemed possible. Didn't proceed to checkout, admittedly. SuperDrug also has a UK site you can check out, btw. I have never used SuperDrug or MedExpress personally, but they look legit. Read their FAQs. MedExpress is apparently a registered online pharmacy and has to order its meds via authorised distributors like regular pharmacies. You can check out reviews as well.

So I have HSV2. My boyfriend does not. If he gives me oral sex, can I give him HSV2? I can't seem to find any information on this topic!

It's certainly possible, but less likely, as HSV2 does not tend to like non-genital areas as much. Avoid receiving oral sex if you are having an outbreak, or if you feel sore, swollen, tingly and/or itchy. Take more care if you are newly infected (shedding is higher in the first year), and consider daily suppressive meds if you plan to be sexually active with a negative partner. Oral infections with HSV2 luckily rarely break out, and if they do, look no different to regular cold sores at least.

Hey! I know this is an old post but I was just reading your story on here and was wondering if you managed to get some daily meds?? And how are your outbreaks these days? Hopefully you’ve seen some improvement !!

Xxx