Reply To: Transmission to partner

[anon777]

Thank you Terri, that was really helpful information. We’re past 10 days now and no symptoms from my partner, so I’m feeling good about that. He hasn’t been tested before but is in the process of getting that done.

In the meantime, I had my dr. change my valacyclovir prescription to 1g, once per day (from 500mg). I’ve been on this increased dose for about a week. (Previously, for several years, I had taken acyclovir to treat outbreaks, which were mild and occurred only a few times per year; I switched to valacyclovir only in the last month with this new relationship, for preventive use). The outbreak I was worried about when I first contacted you went away after a few days as expected. The disconcerting thing is that today I am feeling another similar outbreak to the one 2 weeks ago. I have a red bump, not a cold sore, but it is tender to the touch, on a different part of my labia than last time. Since my partner and I haven’t had sexual contact in almost 2 weeks, sex was not a triggering event this time. But I’m shocked that with daily valacyclovir dosing, and no missed dosed, I’ve had 2 outbreaks in 2 weeks when in previous year I’ve gone many many months without any. My outbreaks are mild, to be sure, but my major concern is for my partner.

Is it possible that valacyclovir just doesn’t work for me, even though acyclovir seems to? I am aware that the active form of valacyclovir is indeed acyclovir, so they are effectively the same drug, but that valacyclovir is a masked form that reacts in the body to release acyclovir. Maybe I lack the enzyme to unmask the active form? I’ve never heard of such a thing.

Thanks again for your help.