Monday, February 13, 2012
Saturday, October 11, 2008 Brooklyn19 asks

Q: To prevent Genital HSV 1 from being passed on to my partner, would it help if we both take Valtrex?

My partner and I are ready for the next step in our relationship, however, i have Genital HSV 1 and he does not. I was prescribed Valtrex and since that drug basically prevents the breakouts to occur and its suppost to less likely allow it to spread on myself, what if both He and I were to take it? Would that be the same as using a condom?

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10/12/08 7:23pm

Hi again,

 

Thanks for posting multiple questions.  Like I said before, I'm not a doctor, so I am not a medical authority or expert.  But since I have herpes I think I can help you.

 

I think it's good that you are taking Valtrex as suppressive therapy since you are concerned about infecting your partner.  It's true that taking daily anti-virals will reduce the risk of transmission by hindering the replication of the herpes virus in your body.  However, I think that having your partner take Valtrex would be overkill.  If he does not have herpes, the Valtrex will do nothing in his body, but may burn a hole in his wallet and potentially negatively affect his access to health insurance in the future.  

I am opposed to taking medicine on a regular basis unless it is absolutely necessary.  In your case, it may be necessary for you to be on suppressive therapy if you have frequent outbreaks or if you're trying to have a child, etc.  However, it is not necessary, and I might even say it's unreasonable, for your partner to take the medicine as well.  If you are careful while you are intimate, continue taking your medication, and follow the information from the links I posted to your other question, he should be fine.  

 

Some more links you may want to check out are Coping with Genital Herpes,Genital Herpes Prevention, and Transmission.

 

Thanks again and let me know how it goes!

 

PJ 

 

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