Back pain and transmission risks

[PeaceofMind]

Hello Terri,

My questions are as follows:

– Nov 2013 I started having severe back pain. The level of pain was so severe that I could barely walk. I went to my doctor and then a specialist, but they were unable to determine the cause of the pain. In December 2013, I got very sick and was later diagnosed with HSV-2. Later in the month, I had another episode of back pain. I have continued to have monthly outbreaks the past year, but have not had any other problems with back pain since Dec 2013. I am wondering now if the issues with my back may have been related to the herpes. I have read that lower back pain is a symptom of herpes, but wanted to verify. In my case, my pain was severe so I would really like to understand if this was possibly related to the virus.

– Secondly, I have great concern about transmission of the virus to others in my household. I know that this is an STD, but have great concern about transmitting it via showers, toilet seats, bed sheets etc. Also is it possible to transmit it via food preparation? I have become obsessive about washing my hands and would really like to understand what is the risk of transmission to others in the household.

[Terri Warren]

May I ask exactly how were you were diagnosed with HSV 2 infection? Swab test? Blood test? If yes, blood test, do you recall the number associated with you lab result?

I don’t believe that back pain is really a symptom of genital herpes, per se. Some people with genital herpes experience some pain in the buttocks or down the back of the leg as a prodromal symptom, before an outbreak comes, but nothing like the pain that you are describing at all. My guess is that your back pain was related to something else that may have also triggered a herpes outbreak.

There is no need to be concerned about transmission of your genital herpes to members of your household with whom you are not having sex. A simple hand washing after using the restroom is fully adequate. Don’t over do it, it can become a very bad habit.

Terri

[PeaceofMind]

Thank you for your response.
I was diagnosed with a swab test after my initial outbreak which was pretty bad. I have been taking Valtrex since and now take 1000 mg per day.
I no longer have blisters now that I am on the meds, however I have symptoms every month (tingling, itching and discomfort). It lasts for several days.
It really bothers me because I feel like I’m always “contagious”.

– If I’m having symptoms every month does this mean that I am always shedding the virus. I had hoped that with the amount of medication that I take that I would be almost symptom free.
– I’ve read conflicting reports about how long the virus can live outside of the body. If it were on someone’s hand or on an object would it remain active or would it die pretty quickly?

[Terri Warren]

Sorry, I have no idea how this slipped through!
So if you have symptoms every day you MAY be shedding virus but there is no way to know without a swab test to confirm or deny that.
If the virus is off the body, it will die quickly, yes.
I still seriously doubt that the back pain has anything to do with your herpes.

Terri

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