I believe you shared we don’t know the transmission rate or GHSV1 to a partner but believe it’s less than 4%? Have you ever seen a case of transmission or is it possible for couples to be together and never transmit it?
Given the swab was GHSV1, while I believe it’s possible, it’s pretty unlikely to have both GHSV1 and GHSV2 at the same time unless you contracted before antibodies were built? What are the odds my low HSV2 result is truly negative?
I’m currently on Valtrex 1,000 mg / day and have been for 2 weeks since outbreak. Blisters cleared up within 2 days of starting but I’m still feeling a little itchiness or slight sensitivity around the area, although might possibly be in my head. Not experiencing any other symptoms, lymph nodes are no longer swollen that went away quickly too. Should I be concerned about that and shedding?
If I do the Western blot, do I need to have been off Valtrex a certain period of time?
First, I am so sorry I missed this follow up question!
I have been diagnosed with a non specific autoimmune disease and from results GHSV1 antibodies are high, which tracks. Do you have any experience with auto-immune patients and do they typically shed more or experience more outbreaks?
I don’t know what you mean “which tracks”. I don’t know about auto immune patients specifically – we do know that people who are immune suppressed (different thing) may have more outbreaks and shedding.
In my case, would you recommend I do suppressive therapy daily and if so what would be the regime? I have had some recent health issues with my gut, so I am wondering if I should stay on Valtrex until that’s better just to bed safe. I’m not aware of any previous outbreaks though except the initial one 12 years ago unless it was so mild it was missed, although I tend to be hypersensitive when sick in any way.
Sure, people take antiviral meds daily to reduce the risk of recurrences AND/OR reduce the risk of infecting someone else
Is there any data on how much shedding decreases for GHSV1 as more years pass (like in my case)?
Once someone is infected for two years, the shedding rate is about 4 days per year
When I ask about transmission rates, it would be helpful to know unprotected vs using condom rate of transmission.
Because condoms reduce transmission by 96% from men to women, when we talk about transmission, we are talking about unprotected intercourse only
Terri