
How To Avoid Contracting HSV Infection During Pregnancy From Partner?

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?
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?
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
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


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
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


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
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
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

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