Question
I am HIV positive and suffering from recurrent herpes simplex.
31 May 2012. Related: All topics, Complications and coinfections, Sexual health.
I am HIV positive and suffering from recurrent herpes simplex. What can be the reason? I am on Atripla treatment.
Answer
Thank-you for your question. It’s not unusual for people with HIV to also be infected with herpes. Herpes outbreaks are linked to the immune system so your CD4 count affects how likely you are to have a herpes attack. When the CD4 is low attacks are common, but as the CD4 increases they become less likely. So if you recently started treatment it’s likely that you will have fewer attacks as your CD4 increases. But some people on treatment do still get herpes attacks, and this can be helped with prophylaxis (preventative) treatment.
It’s difficult for me to give you a personal answer without a bit more information. It would be useful to know your most recent CD4 count. It would also be useful to know more about your herpes occurrences- how often they occur and whether you take any treatment for them.
Herpes infections are usually treated with aciclovir (Zovirax). The body processes aciclovir in the same way as tenofovir, one of the three drugs in Atripla. Because herpes treatment and tenofovir are both processed in the kidneys they can react with each other. This doesn’t mean they can’t be used together but your doctor might want to monitor this more closely, or adjust the dose.
Aciclovir can be taken to treat serious attacks of genital or anal ulcers. Aciclovir can also be taken on a regular basis to prevent recurrent attacks of herpes. In the UK aciclovir is recommended on a regular basis if you have two or more herpes attacks in a year. You may want to consider this if you are experiencing frequent, severe or long-lasting herpes attacks. This would involve taking aciclovir every day or every two days.
Hi
I recently tested hiv negative on the 4th of November after having done other test during the year and all test negative. On the 12 of December I had unprotected sex with a guy, I don’t know his status and the very next day I felt little under the weather as if I’m coming down with flu,on the 13th I realised I had a pimple on the outside of my vagina which I usually get when I’m about to go on my periods and thought that was the case even though I have just started depo. The pimple was just normal and not painful with a little pus in it then I tried to squeeze it out but I guess I made it worse because after that it was.like a scab and a bit painful at the top of the scab. My question is could it be that I contracted herpes from this person and if so can the symptoms show within a day and does it mean that if it is herpes does it mean that the person I got it from is hiv.positive meaning I have contracted the disease as well?
Hi Lily,
What HIV meds are you taking? And has your viral load always been more than 50 or is this just your last result? What does your doctor say about it?
Please let us know what meds you are taking and what your latest CD4 count was.
It’s important you see your doctor about your blisters. And you can also ask if your HIV meds are still working well. Especially as your viral load is not undetectable at the moment.
I have hiv and my viral load is 450.. And i think i have genital herpes as well.. Because there are red bumps with blisters like middle near my vagina.. But not in my vagina.. This us over 2 weeks now.. Is herpes more dangerous for hiv infected person. Does it increase the chance of having AIDS
Hi thanks for your answer. No we will speak on my next visit about treatment for herpes. I just see so much that herpes and hiv is linked but in all the u=u studies they mention other sti but not herpes this is why I asked
Hi J,
The simple answer is, no it doesn’t mean that. It’s great that your viral load is undetectable. Being on ART with an undetectable viral load means that HIV cannot be transmitted even if you don’t use condoms.
Here’s more about Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U).
Have you and your partner talked to your doctor about treatment for herpes?
Hi I have an undetectable viral load and I have herpes I’ve passed on herpes to my partner does that mean they now have hiv aswell
Hi Chireki, Please see here for facts about herpes. This site says they help people to get the facts straight.
I am a hiv positive,my viral load is >50 and my CD4 is 283 i take Liponaviar ,ritinavir,lamuvudune and zidovine as my ARVs.. I slept wth a man and he recent got herpes,did i spread it to hm
Hi Jeff,
Info about herpes can be found here:
https://herpes.org.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv8rGpuaa1wIVD50bCh03egSYEAAYASAAEgIEafD_BwE
I am hiv positive and am now finding out I have herpes I am an elite controller of hiv and my CD4 is 470 my viral count is undectable but I need to know how likely I am to pass herpes off from me to another person and what I should do to keep this from happening.