If you test positive for HHV-6A, there is treatment, and some fertility doctors are already using it. Even though there is no medicine made only for HHV-6A, the virus is known to be sensitive to valacyclovir—a common antiviral medicine that has been safely used for many years.
Valacyclovir is often given for cold sores and other herpes infections. One large study found no increase in birth defects in over 1,800 babies whose mothers took valacyclovir or acyclovir early in pregnancy. This is why many fertility doctors feel comfortable using it to help lower HHV-6A activity in the uterus.
In one infertility study, women who tested positive for HHV-6A took antiviral treatment and later had their uterus checked again. Many of them went from virus-positive to virus-negative, meaning the treatment helped quiet the virus. Other reports show women becoming pregnant after treatment, suggesting that lowering the virus may help the uterus become more welcoming for an embryo.
The goal of treatment isn’t to “erase” the virus forever. HHV-6A hides deep in cells, so the goal is suppression—keeping the virus calm at the exact time your body needs to support implantation. Even lowering the virus can make a real difference.
If treatment can help improve your chances of pregnancy, the next question is:
“Should I test for HHV-6A before I try IUI or IVF again?”
Read this article next to learn more: “Should You Test for HHV-6A Before IUI or IVF?”
References
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Knox K, Doody K. Prospective evaluation of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) in endometrial biopsies of women with repeat implantation failure. ASRM Poster. 2019.
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Marci R, Gentili V, Bortolotti D, et al. Presence of HHV-6A in endometrial epithelial cells from women with primary unexplained infertility. PLOS ONE. 2016.
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Pasternak B, Hviid A. Use of acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir in the first trimester and risk of birth defects. JAMA. 2010.
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Yoshida M, et al. Comparison of antiviral compounds against human herpesvirus 6 and 7. Virus Research. 1998.