Small cluster forming but never full outbreak – avoid having sex?

[Richmond92]

Hi Terri,

I have a quick question related to my current situation and if it would be safe to have intercourse with my girlfriend right now.

I last week felt prodromes indicating to me I was about to have an outbreak. I immediately started taking my Acyclovir to avoid having an outbreak. I saw a tiny cold sore / cluster started to form next to my penis on Monday this week. However, it disappeared two days later without turning into a full outbreak. Would this be considered as having had an outbreak meaning that I should avoid having intercourse with my girlfriend for the next 7 days (from the day the cluster disappeared) or can I have intercourse with her right now without waiting?

The information on this is quite unclear as everything I have read relates to when you have had a full outbreak and the skin has healed. I.e. I have not found any recommendations on what to do for my case where I never had a full outbreak (no open lesions).

So, am I fine with having intercourse with my girlfriend this weekend (c. 4 days after the small cluster disappeared)? Or, am I still shedding the virus and need to wait another few days before I can have intercourse with her?

As a FYI – I am taking Acyclovir on a daily basis as a suppressive treatment.

Any answers would be very much appreciated!

[Terri Warren]

I’m a little confused, it sounds like you know that you have genital herpes, is that HSV 1 or HSV 2? Does your girlfriend know about this? has she been tested to know here status in regards to herpes?
There is nothing that says abstain from intercourse for one week after an outbreak. WE know that people give off virus when they do and when they don’t have an outbreak and we can’t know when that is.

If she is negative and you are positive and you are taking 400 mg of acyclovir twice a day and using condoms, the risk of infecting her is very low.

Terri

[Richmond92]

Thanks for your response, Terri.

Correct, I have HSV 2 (diagnosed a few years ago) and I told my girlfriend about this when we started dating. She has not tested herself to check her status.

Could you just clarify your last sentence in your first paragragh.”WE know that people give off virus when they do and when they don’t have an outbreak and we can’t know when that is.”. Are you referring to viral shedding could occur even without outbreaks?

I believe numerous health organizations recommend one to abstain from sexual intercourse for 7 days after an outbreak has healed. This since you are actively shedding the virus and hence why I am asking if I should abstain as I really didn’t have a “proper” outbreak. However, I am still concerned I could be shedding the virus given that I had a small cluster forming.

Another way to phrase the question perhaps; given what I am describing above, am I (at a higher risk of) shedding the virues at the moment. I will avoid having intercourse with my girlfriend for now if the answer is yes.

Thanks!

[Terri Warren]

Could you just clarify your last sentence in your first paragragh.”WE know that people give off virus when they do and when they don’t have an outbreak and we can’t know when that is.”. Are you referring to viral shedding could occur even without outbreaks?
Yes

I believe numerous health organizations recommend one to abstain from sexual intercourse for 7 days after an outbreak has healed. This since you are actively shedding the virus and hence why I am asking if I should abstain as I really didn’t have a “proper” outbreak. However, I am still concerned I could be shedding the virus given that I had a small cluster forming.
That recommendation is very old and inaccurate since we know about asymptomatic viral shedding. You can do that at any time before, during or after an outbreak.

Another way to phrase the question perhaps; given what I am describing above, am I (at a higher risk of) shedding the virues at the moment. I will avoid having intercourse with my girlfriend for now if the answer is yes.
That’s a tough one. We know that if you are actually having an outbreak, that is known time of shedding. If you think you are having prodromal symptoms avoid sex. Period

Terri

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