Single and Scared

[texas1234]

I recently found out I have genital Herpes 1. I had a boyfriend when I had my first outbreak, and he said he did not have the virus, so I must have gotten it before him. I have been on Valtrex (taking 1 pill a day) which I will do over the next year. My ex boyfriend and I were very safe from that point on, always using condoms. We did not participate in any oral sex. Now that we are broken up, I am wondering how I am supposed to navigate dating/sexual encounters. Am I a horrible person if I have sex with a condom without telling my partner I have Herpes 1? Or do I need to tell every person I interact with sexually? My understanding is that it is OK to not share this information until you are in a committed relationship, as long as you are being safe. Does being on Valtrex mean I can have oral sex? Does it make me a lot less contagious? What is the probability that I will transmit the virus sexually and orally to someone when I am not having an outbreak and if I am on Valtrex? Lastly I have noticed my right eye has been twitching and is a bit more sensitive when I blink. Wondering if this has ever been connected to the medication. Thank you for being a resource! I feel less alone

[Terri Warren]

Valtrex will likely reduce the risk of outbreaks and of transmission. But because HSV 1 genitally is so rarely given off from the body, we can’t know how much improvement these things will make.
The risk of you transmitting on meds is very low indeed. I doubt your eye issue has anything to do with herpes or the medication. I do not feel you need to disclose this to every casual partner if condoms are used, no.

Terri

[texas1234]

Thank you. Am I able to receive oral sex on Valtrex with Herpes 1 or is that still really risky?

[Terri Warren]

I don’t think receiving oral sex is risky for you. I cannot say that it is zero risk but I think it is very unlikely that you would transmit HSV one to the mouth of someone giving you oral sex while you are on Valtrex. It is important to remember that about half the population is infected with HSV one so there is a 50-50 chance that someone giving you oral sex already has it. Most people infected with HSV one do not know it

TErri

[texas1234]

Thank you for the information. Can you explain why genital HSV1 would not likely spread to the mouth of someone giving me oral? Is it less likely to spread while having sex too or is it just not likely from genitals to mouth? I want to be able to explain it to a partner / better understand myself. Is it unhealthy to take Valtrex forever? Also, what do I need to worry about in terms of giving birth as someone diagnosed with genital HSV1?

[Terri Warren]

It is not likely to spread to the mouth of another for two reasons:
1) 50% of the population already has this so they wouldn’t get it again
2) HSV 1 sheds so infrequently that transmission is unlikely
it is not unhealthy to take Valtrex continually no. I’ve taken it for 18 years to try to prevent cold sores and it works well and for me, no side effects or issues.
You should tell any OB provider about your genital HSV 1 provider and they will take appropriate precautions at birth

Terri

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