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Should I Take Antiretroviral Treatment Inspite Of Having History For Genital Herpes?

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Posted on Fri, 9 May 2014
Question: I recently was fooling around with a man, and I am a woman. We weren't going to have sex, because of no condom. However there was momentary penetration. I am 38, I was diagnosed with genital herpes 13 years ago, and have had one outbreak at the time of diagnosis. Should I go to the er to get antiretroviral treatment to ensure I don't get hiv. The person I was with assures me that he has is clean, but is unwilling to get tested with me. What should I do?
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Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Antiretroviral can not prevent the HIV infection. Detailed Answer: Hello young lady, Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum. I can understand your concern for the relationship as well as HIV on the other side. I can get that you have had herpes infection 13 years back and as I can get you had only one out break since then. Now for the part of antiretroviral treatment for the prevention of HIV- dear young lady, there is no treatment or medication or any vaccine even which can prevent the HIV infection. Antiretroviral treatment is meant only to reduce the viral load and not to prevent the infection. Though in some limited number of cases we do give POST EXPOSURE PROHYLAXIS (PEP). But this PEP too is given within 72 hours of accidental exposure to suspected/ conformed case of HIV. So there is no logic of staring antiretroviral treatment for the prevention. Regarding unwillingness of the person to get HIV tested- if the person is really serious about your relationship and care for you then he must get tested. It is not only important for you but for him as well. In my view you should talk to your partner calmly so that he can understand the importance of the testing and therefore a healthy relationship too. Either do not get involved in unsafe sex or if at all you want then use condoms strictly. I hope these information will help you. If you have any further queries I will be glad to help. "Wish you good health" Regards, Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (MD- Dermatology & Sexually Transmitted Diseases)
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 4165 Questions

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Should I Take Antiretroviral Treatment Inspite Of Having History For Genital Herpes?

Brief Answer: Antiretroviral can not prevent the HIV infection. Detailed Answer: Hello young lady, Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum. I can understand your concern for the relationship as well as HIV on the other side. I can get that you have had herpes infection 13 years back and as I can get you had only one out break since then. Now for the part of antiretroviral treatment for the prevention of HIV- dear young lady, there is no treatment or medication or any vaccine even which can prevent the HIV infection. Antiretroviral treatment is meant only to reduce the viral load and not to prevent the infection. Though in some limited number of cases we do give POST EXPOSURE PROHYLAXIS (PEP). But this PEP too is given within 72 hours of accidental exposure to suspected/ conformed case of HIV. So there is no logic of staring antiretroviral treatment for the prevention. Regarding unwillingness of the person to get HIV tested- if the person is really serious about your relationship and care for you then he must get tested. It is not only important for you but for him as well. In my view you should talk to your partner calmly so that he can understand the importance of the testing and therefore a healthy relationship too. Either do not get involved in unsafe sex or if at all you want then use condoms strictly. I hope these information will help you. If you have any further queries I will be glad to help. "Wish you good health" Regards, Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (MD- Dermatology & Sexually Transmitted Diseases)