HSV 1 daily antiviral

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I was diagnosed with HSV 1 genitally and my doctor told me I have to take a daily dose of valtrex, and if I have an outbreak to take two tablets for three days.

She was stern on the fact that it is not the STD of HSV but it can be spread, but she also kept telling me HSV 1 is to be treated the same as HSV 2??? I'm confused.

My friend has HSV 1 genitally and her doctor told her to just let her know if she have a outbreak which is very rare... and that she did not have to tell her partner/s because transmission gential to gential is very unlikely.

Please help.

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4 Replies

  • Edited

    I have GHSV-1. Was diagnosed about three years ago. Because it is below the belt and not oral, I would consider it an STD - as I think most anyone with common sense would. Your friend's doctor is correct in that outbreaks are rare, but I don't believe this gives you the right to withhold your diagnosis from a potential sex partner. If the shoe were on the other foot, do you think that you would want to know if the person you were getting ready to hop in the sack with had it?

    I take Valtrex daily, not so much for my sake, but for that of my partner. When we met (shortly after I found out), I was upfront and told her our first date. She did the research, figured the transmission odds, and decided to roll the dice. Though we practiced safe sex at first, we eventually tossed the condoms. To date, she has remained STD free.

    Tell your future sexual partners - it's the right thing to do.

    • Posted

      People with common sense consider this virus what it is. HSV 1 is not an STD if thats the case 90% of the world has this STD and should be taking a daily dose of Valtrex and telling people they have cold sores including children that never had any sexual encounters?

      I am not saying that I wouldn't tell my partner, the shoe has been on the other foot that is why I am here now.

      I am just confused on how every doctor is giving different directives, its already scary enough and research is contradicting. It tells me its rare to he passed genital to genital but could be passed if someone were to perform oral because HSV 1 prefers the mouth.

      Just trying to get an understanding on how to even share this information with a partner, its not an STD but it is a STD.. that just doesn't add up.

    • Edited

      Didn't mean to come off sounding like I'm implying you have no common sense. My apologies if it sounded that way.

      Having said that, GHSV-1 is very much an STD. The CDC defines genital herpes as a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2). If you have genital herpes, be it type 1 or 2, you absolutely have an STD.

      Given the two types, you and I have the "good" genital herpes (weird to look at it that way, I know). Outbreaks are infrequent, most times less severe if we do get them, and it's much more difficult to transmit - especially if you take daily Valtrex. However rare, it is still possible to pass genital/genital. A quick Google search just now led me to an article that stated, "Currently, <10% of HSV-1 genital herpes is due to genital/genital transmission, but this will increase up to 15% shortly after 2050." It's rare, but certainly not impossible.

      Good luck with your decision making. I hope your future partner/s is as understanding as mine was.

    • Edited

      Thank you! I have been doing research and have yet to find the information you are sharing with me.

      I am truly trying to get an understanding here because now that I have GHSV 1 (the good herpes) lmao.. its not funny but just sounds crazy I have to share this with my partner but someone that has HSV 1 cold sores they do not have to share this but it causes and STD? I can't wrap my mind around it, because why isnt someone with HSV 1 cold sores taking valtrex to keep from spreading it?

      Valtrex can be bad for the kidneys and if I do not have to take a daily dose I will not.. a friend has HSV 2 and was told that she only need to take them when she has a outbreak.. i understand this virus is very confusing but I wish someone could make it all makes sense my kidneys already aren't the best and it runs in my family.

      If anyone else can help please..

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