Question

Do ARVs act on other viruses such as herpes?

14 September 2010. Related: All topics, Opportunistic infections, Starting treatment.

I lost muscle strength in my whole body and that prompted me to do a HIV test. The result was positive with CD4 count of 79. I was immediately put on ARVs on 27th August 2010.

Since then I have had herpes on my genitalia and it keeps recurring on my scrotum daily. Does this mean ARVs do not act on other viruses apart from HIV? Will the muscle loss be restored by ARVs alone and how long will it take? I dont want to stress about this one.

Answer

Answer: Charlotte Walker

Thank you for your question.

I am sorry to hear you have been unwell.

ARVs work mainly for HIV (and a few work against hepatitis B) but not for herpes, although herpes treatment may have a small affect on HIV.

Herpes is a common infection including people with HIV because both viruses can be transmitted sexually.

You may be more likely to have herpes attacks while your CD4 count is under 300. Hopefully, as your CD4 count gets stronger on treatment, this outbreaks will be less common. Until then, talk to your doctor about getting treatment for the herpes. The usual treatment is acyclovir or valaciclovir. This will not cure the herpes but it will stop the outbreaks and prevent further outbreaks in the future. It will reduce the risk of passing herpes to sexual partners.

For more information about the use of treatment as a prophylaxis to stop future outbreaks of genital herpes see this link. Although this NHS information talks about daily prophylaxis if you get more than six outbreaks a year, for an HIV-positive person, even two or three outbreaks a year would be a good reason to use daily aciclovir prophylaxis.

Your muscles should return once your immune system is strong again and your body is back to its usual health. You may notice benefits straight away or this may take time over the next six months. Making sure to not miss or be late with your meds (called good adherence) is very important.