HSV 1 symptoms of swollen painful gums

[frankone09]

hello, I contracted HSV1 about 5 months ago.  I've been on suppressive therapy with Valtrex since then because my current partner is HSV1 negative.  From time to time I try stopping the Valtrex and the virus seems to come back in the form of swollen, painful gums.  Each time I stop Valtrex, it seems to take longer for the virus to reappear but it always reappears in the form of swollen and painful gums.  I had this same symptom (although much more severe) when I initially contracted the infection together with fever and lesions on the penis and testicles and one strange lesion on my lower stomach.  My questions are: (1) is it likely that my infection is now limited to my gums? (2) How easy is it to transmit the infection through kissing or oral sex when my gums are swollen?; (3) Do I need to take Valtrex indefinately or can I stop at some point (i.e., will the risk of transmission decline appreciably at some point making it reasonable to stop taking Valtrex?); (4) Are there any health risks from taking Valtrex on long term basis?

Thanks for your help

[frankone09]

Thanks for the additional information.  The connection of the sympton to the intial outbreak and its reoccurence everytime I go off Valtrex has convinced me that it is a sympton of HSV1.  My plan is to see if I can get a culture of the swollen gums the next time it reoccurs to get confirmation.  The first time I stopped Valtrex the swollen gums reoccured within three days.  The second time I stopped it reoccurred after about a week.  The third time it reoccurred after about eleven days.  Fortunately, this is the only sympton and it's pretty minor.  It just hurts when I brush and floss but not much more than that.  I'm concerned about transmitting the infection which is why I'm on the Valtrex which seems to be effective in suppressing it.  I don't intend to take Valtrex for too much longer and am hoping the reoccurences will become less frequent with time.

[amylnn74a]

HSV-1 symptoms do include swollen painful gums. It's called primary herpetic gingivostomatitis. Google it.  This is more common in the first outbreak in small children/infants/toddlers.  You need to talk to your doctor and probably stay on the Valtrex maintenance dose to suppress the virus.  Good luck!

http://dentalresource.org/topic52herpes.htm

[petal130]

Did your doctor swab/culture the area? It's the only way for certain to know it's herpes going on.

Actually most oral herpes occurs on the lips/mouth. Here's a good resource for oral herpes, that grace also recommends. As you can see in the symptoms part, there is no mention of swollen/painful gums. Again, only a swab/culture of symptoms can diagnose. How were you tested?

http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_oralherpes.cfm

[frankone09]

Thanks for your input but I have been told by my provider that swollen, painful gums is a symptom of herpes.  When I initially contracted the infection, the swelling and pain in my gums was severe and I had never had any oral problems before.  This symptom occurred at the exact same time as the other tell tale signs of the infection.  My partner at the time had a vaginal outbreak that was cultured positive for HSV1.  Also, I've read that many other people with herpes experience swollen and painful gums as a symptom of HSV1.  I'd be interested in hearing from others as well.

[petal130]

Just because one has herpes doesn't mean that EVERYTHING is herpes related. Quite honestly swollen/painful gums are not symptomatic of herpes at all. Blisters/lesions are.

See your provider for a proper diagnosis.