If a person is HSV negative, could they take 500mg of Valtrex daily to reduce the risk of becoming infected?

That's a really good question, Colin. I don't know and I've often wondered that myself. I haven't heard of any studies for this or even any anecdotal reports about it.

Last fall GlaxoSmithKline released its research results that show daily Valtrex (taken by the infected partner) will reduce the chance of the other partner getting it by 50%. I found it very interesting that their stated results differentiate between people who got it and had symptoms versus those who got it and didn't get symptoms. I verified this by talking directly to GSK a few months ago, although I couldn't get a clear answer as to why the data was given that way.

Presenting their data that way *seems* to insinuate that the Valtrex might have played a role in whether the recipient got symptoms or not, which seems like a huge leap of (implied) logic to me. Yet why would they make the distinction like that? The person I spoke to couldn't explain it; I think she didn't know herself.

So it made me wonder again whether Valtrex might have more of an effect beyond simply suppressing symptoms and shedding...or do they just want us to think that way? *shrug* Who knows? Maybe they just wanted to present numbers that looked more impressive. (50% of HSV-negative partners got herpes; 75% didn't get symptoms.)

TheOneInFour

By the way, does this mean you've decided to stay with your lady? http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif Or are you still weighing the options? I'm glad to see you're still around and taking things in, in any case. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

The1in4

1in4, thanks for the great response, as always. My lady and I are still together, but my uncertainty is still there. Her symptoms aren't that bad, but I'm concerned that mine may be much worse should I contract the virus.