bf's doc seems hesitant to use valtrex for risk of transmission. guidance??

[burnthebridgexParticipant]

hello! i’ve recently gotten into a relationship with an absolutely incredible and wonderful man, who happens to have herpes. genital HSV2. this was confirmed with a blood test and urology tests. i have no intention of allowing this to negatively impact our sex life. i am, of course, looking to fully understand the best ways to reduce the risk of transmission to me as much as possible. i am here searching for clarity and guidance.

i feel overwhelmed with all the information i’ve found online. i would love to be pointed toward concrete medical evidence so that my worries are put to rest, but more importantly – so that his are, too. i know he has some concerns about taking a daily medication and any potential side effects. i am having trouble sorting through everything in a way that feels helpful or conclusive.

his doctor dissuaded him from taking valtrex because he only ever had his first initial outbreak (10+ years ago) and has had no issues since. she prescribed him 3 days of pills simply because he asked for it. to me, this doesn’t make any sense based on any of my research and 3 days of pills does absolutely nothing for the risk of transmission. do you have any insight or guidance around this?

i was of the understanding he could be on it daily, long-term, for suppressive therapy to reduce the risk of it transmitting to me.

also – is L-lysine helpful in reducing transmission? he has begun to take it. would it be helpful for me to take it, as well are there any other things i can take to help reduce my chances of transmission?

thank you for your time and input. 🙂

[Terri WarrenKeymaster]

Lysine is probably not useful in reducing transmission.
Daily therapy reduces transmission by almost 50% (see Corey L, 2004, Valtrex transmission trial, New England Journal) and the CDC recommends daily therapy to reduce transmission as well in their CDC STD Treatment Guidelines, 2015.

Episodic therapy does nothing to reduce transmission.

I am interested in his diagnosis with no recurrences in two years.
What was the index value associated with his positive IgG and was it an IgG? What is a urologic test? Did he have a swab test done from a sore or group of sores?

Terri

[Author]

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