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What Is The Prognosis For Herpes Keratitis?

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Posted on Mon, 21 Aug 2017
Question: Dear Doc, What is the prognosis of herpes keratitis. My eye doctor diagnosed me me herpes keratitis. I have following queries:

1. I dont know the HSV strain whether hsv 1 or hsv 2. I dont have any other symptoms of genital herpes or oral herpes although taking valtex. Please tell me whether it is sexually transmitted to my female partner?

2. Even if it is HSV 2 but not having present in genitals? still transferred to wife.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Prognosis in HSV keratitis is generally favorable with aggressive treatment

Detailed Answer:

Hello,
Thank you writing in healthcaremagic.

You should know that both HSV1 and HSV2 can spread to the eye and cause infection, but HSV1 is by far the most frequent cause of eye infections. Furthermore to find out the type you should do HSV 1 and 2 IgG serology.

Infection can be transferred to the eye by touching an active lesion (a cold sore or blister) and then your eye.
The infection can spread to the deeper layers of cornea , and may lead to scarring of the cornea, loss of vision and sometimes even blindness.
Left untreated, herpes keratitis can severely damage your eye.
But you should know that there is no complete cure for herpes, once the virus is in the body, you cannot get rid of it.
The prognosis in HSV keratitis is generally favorable with aggressive treatment as you have taken (valtex). However,even with proper therapy, corneal scarring can occur.
About your wife you should know that usually herpes that affecting the eye, are not sexually transmitted, and are not even the type of herpes that is usually associated with sexually transmitted disease.

I hope my answer helps you .
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (13 minutes later)
dear doctor , my question is specific. If say HSV 2 infected my eyes, dose it spread to my wife while unprotected sex via my genitals? Is the herpes are site specific.

Say, if we put a cloth around entire mouth, will still herpes will transfer via genital?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (23 hours later)
Brief Answer:
If you put a cloth around mouth you cannot transfer the virus via genital.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you writing back.
I am sorry for my late response.

Yes if you are infected with HSV2 , you can transmitting the virus to your wife during unprotected sex, even when there are no symptoms present . Usually, HSV2 tends to prefer locations , such as the genitals, but both can also be easily spread to other parts of the body.

HSV 2 is transmitted via skin to skin contact but not bodily fluids, blood, surfaces, towels, bedding, toilets,cloths or otherwise, just skin to skin contact.
So, based on this if you put a cloth around mouth and have not skin to skin contact you cannot transfer the virus via genital.

I hope my answer helps you.
Regards.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Monika Dede

Infectious Diseases Specialist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 1005 Questions

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What Is The Prognosis For Herpes Keratitis?

Brief Answer: Prognosis in HSV keratitis is generally favorable with aggressive treatment Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you writing in healthcaremagic. You should know that both HSV1 and HSV2 can spread to the eye and cause infection, but HSV1 is by far the most frequent cause of eye infections. Furthermore to find out the type you should do HSV 1 and 2 IgG serology. Infection can be transferred to the eye by touching an active lesion (a cold sore or blister) and then your eye. The infection can spread to the deeper layers of cornea , and may lead to scarring of the cornea, loss of vision and sometimes even blindness. Left untreated, herpes keratitis can severely damage your eye. But you should know that there is no complete cure for herpes, once the virus is in the body, you cannot get rid of it. The prognosis in HSV keratitis is generally favorable with aggressive treatment as you have taken (valtex). However,even with proper therapy, corneal scarring can occur. About your wife you should know that usually herpes that affecting the eye, are not sexually transmitted, and are not even the type of herpes that is usually associated with sexually transmitted disease. I hope my answer helps you . Regards.