Hsv reinfection

[omgitsherpes]

I've experienced cold sores for the majority of my life.  Recently I've been exposed to genital hsv1 because the girl didn't tell me she was having an active outbreak.  I'm wondering if this would constitute as a new primary infection?

I'm now experiencing hsv ear lesions as well, everything has been confirmed as hsv1.  I'm curious how I'm now experiencing hsv in my ear if I've had a long standing infection and what type of precautions I need to take going forward?

[omgitsherpes]

Because the neck rash has recurred 3 or so times the dermatologist suggests it's more likely hsv compared to shingles.   But your right, not much I can do unless there's a rash or blister to swab.  

He recommended suppressive therapy daily to limit the recurrences.   Do you think I should stray from daily suppressive medication so he can swab the recurrence, hopefully there won't be one but just in case?  

If rather be safe than sorry and my understanding is that hsv ear/neck infections can be more dangerous than a shingles infection?

[gracefromHHP]

it's unfortunate that they didn't also culture your neck rash to confirm. It's not unusual for other infections to trigger shedding of hsv1.

is it likely that you had a massive hsv1 recurrence in all these places? no it is not. Indeed your oral hsv1 infection can travel along the nerve to cause lesions in the ear but also traveling down and causing lesions on the neck at the same time would've been very unusual. I think your provider erred on the side of caution and gave you the shingles dose of acyclovir just in case you do have shingles. suppressive therapy with acyclovir is just 400mg twice a day. no real benefit to the 800mg twice a day dose. actually no good reason for suppressive therapy either to be honest.

so what do you do at this point? well not a lot you can do since your window of opportunity for cultures of the neck is gone. It will take time to heal completely. Should you get a return of symptoms, be seen promptly for further evaluation.

should you suspect some sort of immunocompromise? not really at this point.

[omgitsherpes]

As to why this is persistent?   Anything else rah may be compromising my immune system?

[omgitsherpes]

So I was prescribed over the recommended dose at 800mg 5 times a day and then suppressive of 800mg twice daily for until it goes away for a while.  Even at that high dosage it's still there and that's I was wondering if I might be immunocompromised as it's still there.  

I tested negative for hiv, but I'm getting tested again and getting my livers tested as well to make sure I'm not immunocompromised.  

I have an appt next week and another a couple weeks after to test.   Any recommendations on questions I can ask my doctor a

[Life360_Dave]

Yes thats acyclovior and the recommened for recurrent is 400mg 3 times a day for 7-10 days or 800 mg 3 times a day for 10 days.
Maybe see your doc about why its not clearing up.

[Life360_Dave]

Im not familar with that brand