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How To Avoid Contracting HSV Infection During Pregnancy From Partner?

Posted on Sat, 26 Sep 2015

Question: I am less than one month pregnant. This is my first pregnancy. My boyfriend is HSV positive. I am not. He contracted HSV 6 years ago. During the last year that we've been together, my boyfriend has not had a breakout.

What precautions should we take to ensure I do not contract HSV and our baby and I are safe throughout this pregnancy? Would it be helpful if my boyfriend took Valtrex from now until the birth of our baby?

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Precautions advised

Detailed Answer:
Hello mam, thanks for trusting health care magic.
I understand your anxiety related to the issue.
Take a note of following points -
- do not indulge in unprotected sexual activity and if possible avoid getting intimate with him at all.
- keep a good local hygiene of your private parts and use a cotton based underwear and avoid tight jeans
- give him a course of valtrex for 5 days after discussion with your gynecologist right now and in case you guys do not get physical till delivery then no need to give another course
- once you finish 36 weeks of pregnancy then get your HSV titres repeated to decide the mode of delivery.
Take care
Regards
Dr Manisha

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (38 hours later)

"Give him a course of Valtrex for 5 days" so are you saying the 5 day course of medication will prevent the spread of HSV?
We would like to be physical throughout the pregnancy. If my boyfriend takes Valtrex throughout the pregnancy, will we be able to safely have intercourse without contacting HSV?

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Valcyclovir advised

Detailed Answer:
No dear it will treat for the time being but will not prevent recurrances, so in case you both want to stay sexually active throughout your pregnancy then give him tablet valcyclovir 1 gram daily till delivery.
It is the best antiviral against herpes with easy dosing but a little costly than other drugs.
Since it is a prescription drug you need to discuss this with your gynecologist and fetch a prescription for the same.
And always use protection while indulging in sexual activity and avoid oral sex at times.
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (12 hours later)

Oh ok, I guess there was some confusion because there has been no breakout since we've been together, which has been right at a year. And there is no current breakout. He just knows he has HSV and now that I'm pregnant, we want to make sure I do not contract HSV during the pregnancy.

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No need to take any drug

Detailed Answer:
That is indeed very caring nature from his side, good to hear it.
In case he hasn't had any recurrence since an year then he doesn't need to take anything now.
Just use protection while having sex as a general precaution.
This alone will suffice.
All the best

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar