Can antibiotics trigger a herpes outbreak?

[myfiercecalm]

Hello all, so I may go on some antibiotics later this week. I have what I thought was a bug bite on my arm with a small red streak going up the arm and suspect this might be lymphangitis (an infection of the lymph vessels). If it is, I will be put on an antibiotic. As of now, I haven't had any clearly defined HSV2 outbreaks, though I blood tested positive for it back in April. I was wondering if taking an antibiotic can cause herpes outbreaks (as it suppresses the immune system) and also anything else you think I should be aware of? I am not currently taking any suppressants though I was taking Valacyclovir back in April and May. And on a darker note, I tested negative for HIV, but it is still possible I could have been exposed to that when I got HSV2. I was waiting for 6 months to go by to get tested again just to be sure I don't have HIV. So I'm not sure how taking an antibiotic might affect that if at all. I wanted to check with you guys first since I trust you more than my doctor at this point :) Thanks!

[WCSDancer2010]

Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses ... so it shouldn't cause an OB nor should it affect anything to do with HIV. They don't suppress the immune system (you are thinking of steroids/prednisone). They actually kill the bacteria, including the good bacteria. I'd take a Probiotic in between the antibiotic doses to keep your body balanced as Yeast infections often take hold when you are on antibiotics if you can't keep enough of the "good " bacteria in the system.

 

I'd talk to the Dr about it too just to make sure you don't have any other contraindications about going on them but you should be fine :)

[myfiercecalm]

Thanks Dancer! I figured it probably wouldn't matter, but nice to be sure :)