Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Suggest Treatment For Genital Herpes
I recently found out I have genital herpes. Ive had one outbreak and I am now on valtrex 500mg daily for suppression along with Lysine 1000mg BID and all seems well. My boyfriend has hereditary spherocytosis and had his spleen removed as a child (he is now 34). My question is, if he is affected with HSV at some point, would the condition be worse for him, i.e. more frequent outbreaks, more severe outbreaks? I know he is more susceptible to bacterial infections, but is the risk also increased for viral afflictions as well? We are both otherwise healthy and use condoms religiously to hopefully prevent transmission. Thank you.
posted on
Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 17 Feb 2015
Answered on
Tue, 17 Feb 2015
Last reviewed on
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
Spleen protects body against bloodstream infection by removing bacteria from blood.
Herpes virus inhabits and remains localized to the affected ganglion and its distributing nerve.
Herpes/ HSV is not a blood borne infection and therefore unlike bacterial infection he is not more prone to herpes.
However, it is a good practice to use a condom during sexual intercourse in order to reduce risk of transmission.
A condom though does not entirely eliminate the risk of acquiring herpes, it only reduces.
Another point I want to stress upon in that transmission of herpes is more likely during an active episode of genital herpes rather than during clinically asymptomatic phases.
Regards
Hope this helps!
Spleen protects body against bloodstream infection by removing bacteria from blood.
Herpes virus inhabits and remains localized to the affected ganglion and its distributing nerve.
Herpes/ HSV is not a blood borne infection and therefore unlike bacterial infection he is not more prone to herpes.
However, it is a good practice to use a condom during sexual intercourse in order to reduce risk of transmission.
A condom though does not entirely eliminate the risk of acquiring herpes, it only reduces.
Another point I want to stress upon in that transmission of herpes is more likely during an active episode of genital herpes rather than during clinically asymptomatic phases.
Regards
Hope this helps!
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Valaciclovir
Loading Online Doctors....