Concerned about Valtrex affecting Hep C test results

[cigirl1979]

Hello, I have genital hsv2. I am not taking Valtrex right now, but I want to go on daily suppressive Valtrex at 500mg per day. Since being diagnosed with hsv2, I have been paranoid about everything. I was cut in a nail salon and became paranoid about contracting hepatitis B and C from that incident. I was tested for both and they were negative, but here’s my question:

I am concerned about Valtrex affecting any future testing of hep c and b if I feel the need to go back and retest.
I am concerned that if I test for hep b and c, that the results won’t be accurate because what if Valtrex affects the results.

I’ve found information on the Body.com about whether Valtrex will affect HIV testing and the answer from HIV experts is that no, Valtrex will not affect HIV test results. But I can’t find the answer specifically related to Hep B and C. I’m assuming the answer would be the same for hepatitis b and c, but I need to see that answer from the experts, just like I saw regarding HIV from the experts.

Can you advise whether Valtrex will affect Hep B and C test results? if your answer is no, for peace of mind, I pretty much need to hear that you are 150 percent sure that Valtrex will have ZERO effect on any testing for hep b and c.

(What I mean by affect hep B and C test results is that for example, if I get a negative test, can I trust that the result is truly negative)

I want to get on Valtrex but have been putting it off because of my concern that it will affect hep testing results.

Looking forward to peace of mind about this concern so I can start taking Valtrex!

Thank you!

[Terri Warren]

I can give you 150% assurance that Valtrex has absolutely no impact on Hepatitis B or C testing.
May I ask why you have not been vaccinated for Hepatitis B if you are this concerned about it?
How old are you? Perhaps you were already vaccinated as a child? Do you recall the exact results of your hepatitis B antibody test? Or was it an antigen test?
You can definitely trust the results of the hepatitis antibody tests.

Terri

[cigirl1979]

Thank you for the reply!
I have talked to my doctor about being vaccinated for hep B. I am 35 years old
I don’t know the exact results of my hep b except that it was negative. I was tested for Hep B Surface Ag and Hep B Surface Ab.

How long does it take for Valtrex to be out of your system if taking 500mg once a day? I’ve read that it takes ten days for Valtrex to get into your system. Does it take ten days to be out of your system then?

Is 500 mg Valtrex once a day a typical daily suppressive dose?

I feel reassured with your answer that Valtrex has no impact on hep b or c testing, but would you mind telling me why it has no effect?

[Terri Warren]

The consensus is that the medicine is out of your system by 5-7 days after stopping.
Acyclovir (and thus valacyclovir) was a drug specifically designed to treat herpes. The person who developed it won the Nobel Prize for this, Gertrude Ellion. It is not a general kind of antiviral. Your question is like asking me do influenza treatment medicines treat herpes. Not all antiviral medicines treat the same viruses.

Yes, 500 mg of Valtrex is the usual suppressive dose.
Terri

[cigirl1979]

I realize I am rehashing this and for that I apologize

I said above: “I’ve found information on the Body.com about whether Valtrex will affect HIV testing and the answer from HIV experts is that no, Valtrex will not affect HIV test results. But I can’t find the answer specifically related to Hep B and C. I’m assuming the answer would be the same for hepatitis b and c, but I need to see that answer from the experts, just like I saw regarding HIV from the experts.”

So even though on the Body website they were talking about Valtrex does not affect hiv test results, I can safely insert hep b and c in place of hiv and it would be the same answer; that is, No, it cannot. Correct?

In your first reply to me, you were asking me if I recall the exact results of my hepatitis B test. what was the reason for that?

Thanks!

[Terri Warren]

I wondered about your test results because I was wondering if your surface antibody was positive (indicating you had been vaccinated). But it appears that you have not been vaccinated.

Yes, you can substitute Hepatitis for HIV. I’m not sure about the website, but that information is correct.

Terri

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