Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How Is Genital Herpes Transmitted?
Question: I have genital herpes for quite a while. My outbreaks are very scarce, maybe the last one was 2007. If there's a slightest of the feelings that the outbreak may be coming (false alarm included), I would take Valtrex as a precaution and nothing has happened for a long time.
From 2007, I am dating a woman who doesn't have genital herpes, and for 7+ years, I tend to emphasize protected sex using well-fitted condoms. We had occasional oral sex, but everything seems to be under control.
Until last night...
As usual, I used condom from the very beginning, no oral sex, but later found out that there seems to be an outbreak! I am visually impaired, so the only way to check my genitals is to touch the genitals + feel my body out.
But this time , there was no pain nor itchiness at all, and the area was different from previous outbreaks.
The suspected area is at the head of the penis, thus the condoms covered 100% of the suspected area.
This past week, I took 3 - 4 doses of Valtrex just for precaution.
I am in a massive panic mode worrying if I transmitted herpes to her. I hope it is not the case!
Please be kind with your words since I am REALLY SCARED!
From 2007, I am dating a woman who doesn't have genital herpes, and for 7+ years, I tend to emphasize protected sex using well-fitted condoms. We had occasional oral sex, but everything seems to be under control.
Until last night...
As usual, I used condom from the very beginning, no oral sex, but later found out that there seems to be an outbreak! I am visually impaired, so the only way to check my genitals is to touch the genitals + feel my body out.
But this time , there was no pain nor itchiness at all, and the area was different from previous outbreaks.
The suspected area is at the head of the penis, thus the condoms covered 100% of the suspected area.
This past week, I took 3 - 4 doses of Valtrex just for precaution.
I am in a massive panic mode worrying if I transmitted herpes to her. I hope it is not the case!
Please be kind with your words since I am REALLY SCARED!
Brief Answer:
Herpes Genitalis
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic
I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query and I have understood it.
Since you said that you have recurrent genital herpes, therefore the only way you could have transmitted herpes was through intimate sexual contact (unprotected genital to genital OR unprotected receptive oral sex).
Though when you are not having symptoms of genital herpes, it is less likely that you will pass on the virus, however, some virus will be present on the genital skin surface from time to time, although infrequently. So, there is still a small chance that you may pass on the virus when you have sex even when you don't have a clinical episode of herpes. A clinical episode of herpes does increase the risk of transmission.
Antiviral medicines don't clear the virus from the body. It works by stopping the virus from multiplying, therefore decreasing the risk of transmitting the virus to uninfected partner but not making it 'Absolutely Zero'. The risk would still be there, no matter how less.
Same with condoms! Though using a condom may help lower this risk but it will not get rid of the risk completely. Condoms cover the business end of the penis but they don't cover the base of the shaft completely OR may get slipped down a little during sexual contact, therefore there is still a chance of direct genital to genital contact. However, in your case the suspected episode of herpes was at the head of the penis which must have been completely covered, therefore it seems safe.
Since you have it since years, therefore I don't think that you would be as infectious as if somebody who has acquired herpes recently.
Therefore, in your scenario, although the risk that you may have transmitted herpes is very very low if not absolutely Zero.
Regards
Herpes Genitalis
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic
I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query and I have understood it.
Since you said that you have recurrent genital herpes, therefore the only way you could have transmitted herpes was through intimate sexual contact (unprotected genital to genital OR unprotected receptive oral sex).
Though when you are not having symptoms of genital herpes, it is less likely that you will pass on the virus, however, some virus will be present on the genital skin surface from time to time, although infrequently. So, there is still a small chance that you may pass on the virus when you have sex even when you don't have a clinical episode of herpes. A clinical episode of herpes does increase the risk of transmission.
Antiviral medicines don't clear the virus from the body. It works by stopping the virus from multiplying, therefore decreasing the risk of transmitting the virus to uninfected partner but not making it 'Absolutely Zero'. The risk would still be there, no matter how less.
Same with condoms! Though using a condom may help lower this risk but it will not get rid of the risk completely. Condoms cover the business end of the penis but they don't cover the base of the shaft completely OR may get slipped down a little during sexual contact, therefore there is still a chance of direct genital to genital contact. However, in your case the suspected episode of herpes was at the head of the penis which must have been completely covered, therefore it seems safe.
Since you have it since years, therefore I don't think that you would be as infectious as if somebody who has acquired herpes recently.
Therefore, in your scenario, although the risk that you may have transmitted herpes is very very low if not absolutely Zero.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Kakkar,
Thank you for your sincere and thorough reply.
I just couldn't sleep that night, so I went to the doctor and check whether
it was in fact an outbreak or not. Fortunately it was not an outbreak!
My GF told me there were red dots the night we had sex, but
the doctor told me there's none the following morning (12 hours later) and
"looks totally healthy". I took Viagra (25mg) that night, so he suspects
that may be the culprit since it makes veins expand.
I feel safe if I take Valtrex everyday for precaution, but my y-GTP sometimes goes up over 200 (probably from fatty liver), I don't know if it is harmful
to my liver.
Can you advise me how hazardous it is to take Valtrex on a daily basis, and
to be aware of any signs (AST, GOT, etc) in a blood test to look for in order
for me to determine whether taking Valtrex frequently is bad for me or not.
I have the herpes from 1991, and the last outbreak was probably in
2007. I am constantly in distress worrying about transmitting
the virus to my love.
Would you also give me any tips so I can have a normal sex life,
with less worrying and sleepless nights.
Thank you very much!
Thank you for your sincere and thorough reply.
I just couldn't sleep that night, so I went to the doctor and check whether
it was in fact an outbreak or not. Fortunately it was not an outbreak!
My GF told me there were red dots the night we had sex, but
the doctor told me there's none the following morning (12 hours later) and
"looks totally healthy". I took Viagra (25mg) that night, so he suspects
that may be the culprit since it makes veins expand.
I feel safe if I take Valtrex everyday for precaution, but my y-GTP sometimes goes up over 200 (probably from fatty liver), I don't know if it is harmful
to my liver.
Can you advise me how hazardous it is to take Valtrex on a daily basis, and
to be aware of any signs (AST, GOT, etc) in a blood test to look for in order
for me to determine whether taking Valtrex frequently is bad for me or not.
I have the herpes from 1991, and the last outbreak was probably in
2007. I am constantly in distress worrying about transmitting
the virus to my love.
Would you also give me any tips so I can have a normal sex life,
with less worrying and sleepless nights.
Thank you very much!
Brief Answer:
Herpes
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Ok that's good.
Valacyclovir is a very safe drug to take daily. Oral therapy with valacyclovir is associated with a low rate of mild-to-moderate serum aminotransferase elevations, but these abnormalities are usually asymptomatic and self-limited even with continuation of therapy.
However, if your outbreaks are so infrequent than you actually need not take it daily. Take it just for an episode of herpes Or whenever you feel the prodrome, if and whenever it happens.
Use a condom regularly. That's it!!
Since you have a long standing infection and very infrequent episodes of herpes and since you take valtrex at the slightest of suspicion of herpes and always have protected sex, so actually you have too little to worry about and so much to enjoy!!
These discussions never disclose the name or identity of the person.
Take care
Regards
Herpes
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Ok that's good.
Valacyclovir is a very safe drug to take daily. Oral therapy with valacyclovir is associated with a low rate of mild-to-moderate serum aminotransferase elevations, but these abnormalities are usually asymptomatic and self-limited even with continuation of therapy.
However, if your outbreaks are so infrequent than you actually need not take it daily. Take it just for an episode of herpes Or whenever you feel the prodrome, if and whenever it happens.
Use a condom regularly. That's it!!
Since you have a long standing infection and very infrequent episodes of herpes and since you take valtrex at the slightest of suspicion of herpes and always have protected sex, so actually you have too little to worry about and so much to enjoy!!
These discussions never disclose the name or identity of the person.
Take care
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Kakkar,
First of all, thank you very much for your swift and sincere reply.
At first, I didn't imagine this service would provide me with very useful
info from a specialist like you! Through experience consulting with you,
I have decided to keep my subscription and make this service my
reliable medical advisor.
Secondly, on your first reply, you mentioned
"Since you have it since years, therefore I don't think that you would be as infectious as if somebody who has acquired herpes recently."
Would you please elaborate on this? I would like to know more about this.
Lastly, since this desease will be a part of my life, I will probably need
constant assistance, and I appreciate if you could be my "web doctor"
Many Thanks!
First of all, thank you very much for your swift and sincere reply.
At first, I didn't imagine this service would provide me with very useful
info from a specialist like you! Through experience consulting with you,
I have decided to keep my subscription and make this service my
reliable medical advisor.
Secondly, on your first reply, you mentioned
"Since you have it since years, therefore I don't think that you would be as infectious as if somebody who has acquired herpes recently."
Would you please elaborate on this? I would like to know more about this.
Lastly, since this desease will be a part of my life, I will probably need
constant assistance, and I appreciate if you could be my "web doctor"
Many Thanks!
Brief Answer:
Herpes
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Though the virus stays in the body for ever, herpes outbreaks are more common/frequent in those who have acquired the infection recently and therefore are more likely to transmit the virus to others (the viral shedding is higher during an episode of herpes as compared to someone who is clinically silent).
The frequency of outbreaks decreases with time, over the years.
Say, for example, if someone had 6-9 episodes during the first year is more likely to transmit the infection to others than someone who has just 1 episode in a few years
Regards
Herpes
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Though the virus stays in the body for ever, herpes outbreaks are more common/frequent in those who have acquired the infection recently and therefore are more likely to transmit the virus to others (the viral shedding is higher during an episode of herpes as compared to someone who is clinically silent).
The frequency of outbreaks decreases with time, over the years.
Say, for example, if someone had 6-9 episodes during the first year is more likely to transmit the infection to others than someone who has just 1 episode in a few years
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Kakkar,
Thank you for your answer in detail!
Here is another big question that I need your advice.
My partner and I may be getting married in a few years.
Naturally, she wants to have kids.
She still don't know that I have herpes, and I am sure she will freak out
and maybe become afraid of having sex with me, let alone getting married!
Through google, I found out that siemen and ova are not affected by
this desease, so bearing kids are not the problem. But to get her pregnant,
we need to have unprotected sex, which will be the norm once we get married.
How do married couples with one infected partner and one non-infected partner
solve this problem?
Is Valtrex bad for the siemen (hence bad for the child)?
This may be the ultimate obstacle that I may have to face in a year or two...
Thank you for your answer in detail!
Here is another big question that I need your advice.
My partner and I may be getting married in a few years.
Naturally, she wants to have kids.
She still don't know that I have herpes, and I am sure she will freak out
and maybe become afraid of having sex with me, let alone getting married!
Through google, I found out that siemen and ova are not affected by
this desease, so bearing kids are not the problem. But to get her pregnant,
we need to have unprotected sex, which will be the norm once we get married.
How do married couples with one infected partner and one non-infected partner
solve this problem?
Is Valtrex bad for the siemen (hence bad for the child)?
This may be the ultimate obstacle that I may have to face in a year or two...
Brief Answer:
Herpes
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Valtrex won't have any bad effect on the semen or on the fetus.
When you are not having symptoms of genital herpes, it is less likely that you will pass the virus on to your partner, when you have unprotected sex. However, some virus will be present on the genital skin surface from time to time, although infrequently. So, there is still a very small chance that you may pass on the virus when you have sex even when you don't have symptoms.
Antiviral medicines does not clear the virus from the body. It works by stopping the virus from multiplying, therefore decreasing the risk of transmitting the virus to uninfected partner but not making it 'Absolutely Zero'. The risk would still be there, no matter how less.
Therefore, protective sex would still be advisable for both of you when you are not trying for a baby. However, whenever you decide to have a baby, there will definitely be some risk of transmitting the virus, no matter how less.
Regards
Herpes
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Valtrex won't have any bad effect on the semen or on the fetus.
When you are not having symptoms of genital herpes, it is less likely that you will pass the virus on to your partner, when you have unprotected sex. However, some virus will be present on the genital skin surface from time to time, although infrequently. So, there is still a very small chance that you may pass on the virus when you have sex even when you don't have symptoms.
Antiviral medicines does not clear the virus from the body. It works by stopping the virus from multiplying, therefore decreasing the risk of transmitting the virus to uninfected partner but not making it 'Absolutely Zero'. The risk would still be there, no matter how less.
Therefore, protective sex would still be advisable for both of you when you are not trying for a baby. However, whenever you decide to have a baby, there will definitely be some risk of transmitting the virus, no matter how less.
Regards
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
