What can i use to prevent hsv-1 saliva transmission?!
Question: I've had oral hsv-1 since I was nine (I'm now 14). I just want to know if I can use anything to prevent shedding with no symptoms. I use campho-phenique when I don't have a cold sore, or do have one present. When I don't have any symptoms, or an active cold sore, will this reduce shedding? Also, does shedding in my saliva depend on the fact that I never had a cold sore on my lip? I really want to kiss this girl, but I don't know how safe it is to kiss without any symptoms, or a active cold sore, while also having campho-phenique on my lips while kissing. Can you give me some good answers and/or facts about this?
Answers: I've had oral hsv-1 since I was nine (I'm now 14). I just want to know if I can use anything to prevent shedding with no symptoms. I use campho-phenique when I don't have a cold sore, or do have one present. When I don't have any symptoms, or an active cold sore, will this reduce shedding? Also, does shedding in my saliva depend on the fact that I never had a cold sore on my lip? I really want to kiss this girl, but I don't know how safe it is to kiss without any symptoms, or a active cold sore, while also having campho-phenique on my lips while kissing. Can you give me some good answers and/or facts about this?
Acyclovir is cheap and effective at keeping out breaks down and out. I've had hsv-1 since I was 6 and I'm married now. My husband has never gotten a sore. I stay away when I get that feeling one is coming up. The campho didn't really help me. I used to get them all the time, then they died down to 2 times a year, now I haven't had one in a long time. I take Acyclovir or even Valtrex when I feel like I might get one and it seems to do the trick.
In high school, before I got my prescription, I tried taking lysine to boost my immune system. It did make the sores go away faster, but I don't think it helped keep them down (though some people get good results)
Really, you can only be so safe to a point. Talk to a doc about the antiviral stuff, it might help you like it helped me. The campho just seemed to irritate my lips, but maybe it works for you. Wash your hands and don't kiss when you have a sore, when you feel one coming on or for a few days after a sore has gone away. But you still might be shedding, so you'll have to make a call: go without kissing anyone ever or just try to be safe, be honest and, if it still happens, be apologetic.