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Is HSV2 A Life Threatening Infection?
Question: I recently got infected with HSV2 Take 1g of valacyclovir 2 times a day for 10 days. Dr Said I don't need of suppress therapy since most of the time you will never get the lesions back. If your wife get infection and get episode, treat her too. Nothing to worry , it is not life threatening. But I don't want to infect her I am planning to use the condoms all the time . My weight is 105Kg , How much dose of valacyclovir I have to take to limit my viral shedding and recurrence . Should I take it till I die , will it not be bothering in my old age or in old age the recurrence does not happen ?
Brief Answer:
Suppressive treatment includes Valacyclovir for 6-12 months
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have taken note of your query and I have understood it.
HSV type 2 usually causes genital herpes. The infection once acquired stays inside forever.
Herpes is an STD and can transmit to sexual partners during intimate sexual contact.
From time to time the virus may multiply and travel along the nerve to skin surface & form skin lesions i.e recurrent genital herpes.
Recurrences are not related to chronological age of the patient rather they are related to how old the infection is.
Recurrences are more frequent in newly acquired infection e.g HSV 2 usually causes 4-5 recurrences / year
Frequency of recurrences decreases with time, however, asymptomatic viral shedding can still occur even without a clinical recurrence.
Lesions in genital herpes are well defined erosion's/ sores on genital mucosa.
The risk of transmission is more during an active episode of herpes than at other times.
Measures to reduce risk of transmission to sexual partners include avoiding sex during and immediately after an active episode.
Using a condom at all times also reduces the risk of transmission.
Single tablet of valacyclovir, once daily, reduces viral multiplication as well as shedding thus reducing the risk of transmission.
Usual duration of suppressive therapy with valacyclovir is usually 6 months to 1 year, however, it can be prolonged in those who have very frequent recurrences.
After continuous suppressive treatment with valacyclovir recurrent episodes will become less frequent.
Regards
Suppressive treatment includes Valacyclovir for 6-12 months
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have taken note of your query and I have understood it.
HSV type 2 usually causes genital herpes. The infection once acquired stays inside forever.
Herpes is an STD and can transmit to sexual partners during intimate sexual contact.
From time to time the virus may multiply and travel along the nerve to skin surface & form skin lesions i.e recurrent genital herpes.
Recurrences are not related to chronological age of the patient rather they are related to how old the infection is.
Recurrences are more frequent in newly acquired infection e.g HSV 2 usually causes 4-5 recurrences / year
Frequency of recurrences decreases with time, however, asymptomatic viral shedding can still occur even without a clinical recurrence.
Lesions in genital herpes are well defined erosion's/ sores on genital mucosa.
The risk of transmission is more during an active episode of herpes than at other times.
Measures to reduce risk of transmission to sexual partners include avoiding sex during and immediately after an active episode.
Using a condom at all times also reduces the risk of transmission.
Single tablet of valacyclovir, once daily, reduces viral multiplication as well as shedding thus reducing the risk of transmission.
Usual duration of suppressive therapy with valacyclovir is usually 6 months to 1 year, however, it can be prolonged in those who have very frequent recurrences.
After continuous suppressive treatment with valacyclovir recurrent episodes will become less frequent.
Regards
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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