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Suggest Treatment For Recurrent Herpes

Posted on Mon, 21 Apr 2014

Question: I have been communicating with Dr. Chail XXXXXXX but somehow have lost contact with him. Dear Dr. XXXXXXX The biopsy results have come back on my brother. He has herpes in his esophagus. He is responding to the treatment of anti-biotics and zovimax ( anti-viral). Can I expect that this will stop the virus from re-appearing elsewhere and causing him danger? As for me, I described my symptoms to you last time I wrote. I continue to have loose foul-smelling stools. I continue to have belching. When I belch, I have pain under my sternum and radiating right and left throughout my chest. At times during the day, I am running a low grade temperature of 99.6 degrees. I spoke with my primary physician who recommended that I increase my nexium to 80 milligrams a day and use Gaviscom for belching relief. Is it possible that I have herpes in my esphofogus? My further concern is that if I have to have an endoscopy. My gastroenterologist is the same doctor as my brother has. What obligation do I have to tell him that I have herpes? As you can tell I am very upset by all of this. I would appreciate your best advice. Thank you

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (5 hours later)

Brief Answer: Please find detailed answer below Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXX, Thanks for writing in with an update. What usually happens with herpes is that the disease gets controlled but you cannot say when it may erupt again and in which form. As for the esophagitis, please do not worry as he is getting appropriate treatment. Vaccines are available for prevention but since your brother is suffering from common variable immune deficiency, giving he a vaccine can get XXXXXXX as it can manifest disease complications. I do not think you have herpes in your esophagus as your immunity is normal. Please do not worry on that. Regarding endoscopy, you have no obligation to declare that you have herpes unless there is an ulcer and then he may want additional information on any disease condition that you might have. Unless there is a significant finding in endoscopy, there is no obligation to discuss your herpes from the sexual contact (oral sex incident) point of view. Even if there is any suspicious finding in endoscopy, you always have the choice to discuss that you have got tested recently and have just found that you are infected with herpes. I reassure you that your endoscopy is least likely to reveal herpes esophagitis. Please do write back if you have any doubts. Regards, Dr.Vivek

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)

Thank you for the thoughtful reply. It helps me think more clearly. Why do you believe that I am least likely to have herpes esophagitis? I hope you realize that I am not trying to push you. I just need some reassurance. I appreciate all of your replies because they help me deal with my situation. It is the weekend so I can't speak with my primary physician until Monday. I'll shall continue to keep you informed. Thanks so much for your patience and understanding.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (16 hours later)

Brief Answer: Please find detailed answer below Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXX, Thanks for writing back with an update. Herpes esophagitis is not very common in healthy people. Up to 90 percent of healthy adults have developed antibodies to the herpes simplex virus, according to medical research in the US. You have developed immunity and the antibodies help your body fight off viruses and other invaders so you do not get sick. In other words, I dont see why you should be having herpes esophagitis in particular. I reassure you once again that please do not worry for the herpes part and we can discuss the endoscopy report in detail once its done. I am glad to be replying to your queries. Please keep me informed. Regards, Dr.Vivek

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (8 hours later)

Thanks very much Dr.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (15 hours later)

Brief Answer: Welcome Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXX, Thanks for writing in with an update. I am glad to have been able to reply to your queries. If you have any further queries to be answered by me then please send in more queries in this thread or quote your query ID 102730 and your query will be directed to me. I will reply to you at the earliest. Wishing you good health. Regards, Dr.Vivek

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