Can HSV-2 Be Contracted Through Sexual Intercourse?

Posted on Tue, 7 Jun 2016

Question: I have had gential herpes 2 for 13 years and never had a second outbreak. I have taken Valtrex continuously since the first outbreak. My boyfriend is HSV2 negative, but does have HSV1. He is worried about contracting HSV2. We did have sex the first week I was coming down with it 13 years ago and a few times after it healed. Then, we broke up. Now, it's 13 years later and we are getting back together, but he's afraid of contracting it. What are the chances he will get it?

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
find the answer below.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome to health care magic, I share your concern and I will try to help you out in best possible way.
As you already might be knowing that, HSV-1 is mainly transmitted by oral to oral contact to cause infection in or around the mouth (oral herpes). HSV-2 is almost exclusively sexually transmitted, causing infection in the genital or anal area (genital herpes). However, HSV-1 can also be transmitted to the genital area through oral-genital contact to cause genital herpes.
Since there was subsequent healing of lesions following medications, the chances of you harboring infection is very less after 13 years, consequently the chances of your husband contracting it from you are even lesser. There is no need to worry about it. You both can go ahead.
I hope this helps you
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.

Dr. Naveen XXXXXXX
Medical Consultant.
Ebix, Inc.
YYYY@YYYY

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar (8 minutes later)

Would it be beneficial for him to take Valtrex also?

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
find the answer nelow

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back,
Valtrex will not cure herpes and will not prevent you from spreading the virus to other people. However, this medicine can lessen the symptoms of an infection.So even though there are very less chances of contracting infection, taking valtrex to act as a cover against herpes infection will not be very successful.
If you are still apprehensive about it, its better to get tested for HSV 2 and rule out the possibility of you spreading it to your husband.
The PCR blood test can tell if you have genital herpes even if you don't have symptoms. The PCR test looks for pieces of the virus's DNA. This is the most common test used to diagnose genital herpes and is very accurate.

Regards
Dr Naveen

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar (23 minutes later)

I have been tested twice in the last 13 years and have come up positive for Herpes 2 both times. He has been tested and only has Herpes 1. Valtrex reduces the number of asymptomatic shedding which is my concern.

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
find the answer below.

Detailed Answer:
Yes, in your case valtrex does reduce the asymptomatic shedding of virus, and thus chances of spreading it to your husband. But doesn't rule out chances of infection as you have been tested positive, there remains a degree of risk for your husband.
Regards
Dr Naveen

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar (6 minutes later)

So your former answer of not to worry is not valid? I don't have outbreaks, so I don't have infection right?

How big of a risk would my boyfriend have?

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
find the answer below.

Detailed Answer:
The validity of my former answer depends on how recent your testing of hsv was. If it was done within a year, then the chances of spreading infection is around 25% if you are on valtrx. I apologize for my earlier statement as I said there was no risk without asking you whether you had undergone test for HSV after healing of lesions.
Regards
Dr Naveen

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar (3 minutes later)

My testing was done about 2 years ago the last time. So, I thought it always remained in your system and would always show up no matter how many years it has been since you were first diagnosed? So, if I am testing again, it could show negative?

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
find the answer below.

Detailed Answer:
No, usually body's immune system will develop antibodies against it after first bout of infection and body will be cleared of HSV virus. But in few individuals the HSV constantly undergoes change in genetic material and remains in system dormantly without causing any symptoms, and reactivate during the time of stress and conditions where body's immune system becomes weak.
there are chances that it could be negative. go ahead with testing.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar (4 minutes later)

Thank you very much!! I will get PCR testing done. Everything I have read says the virus lies dormant in your spine/nervous system and never goes away...it says it is not curable, but you are saying it can go away completely due to my body's immune system? I am wanting to make sure I understand this correctly.

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
find the answer below.

Detailed Answer:
Yes the virus does remain dormant in nervous system. But if it is not exposed to immune system, how will it be detected in blood tests like PCR. The antibodies does ward off viral antigen completely from immune system hence they enter nervous system, to be more specific, they enter dorsal root ganglion of spinal cord and remain dormant. And might undergo changes in genetic material.
hope I made the mechanism of HSV infection clear.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar (10 minutes later)

I think I understand it...in PCR tests it determines if you have antibodies for the disease...if you do, then the infection cannot enter the body because the immune system takes care of it if you have the antibodies. So, even though the virus still lies in the dorsal root ganglion it is dormant. The only exception is if it undergoes changes in genetic material and keeps replicating itself?

Am I correct? If that's so, then I don't need to worry about giving it to anyone because it's always dormant. Taking Valtrex reduces the chance of asymptomatic shedding, so I should be ok?

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
find the answer below.

Detailed Answer:
YES you got it right. But PCR detects viral DNA rather than antibodies although there are tests to detect antibodies. Please confirm before undergoing test for HSV.
Taking valtrex does reduce asymptomatic shedding.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar