Getting a positive HHV-6A result can feel scary at first, but it actually gives you something many women never get: a clear next step. Instead of guessing why you haven’t been able to get pregnant, you now have a real target you can treat and track.
When HHV-6A is found in the uterus, the goal is to lower the virus activity so the uterine lining becomes more welcoming for an embryo. Some fertility clinics use valacyclovir, a common antiviral medicine, because studies show HHV-6A is sensitive to it and because it has a strong safety record in women trying to conceive.
In follow-up studies, women who were positive for HHV-6A and took antiviral treatment showed improvement when their uterus was tested again. Many went from virus-positive to virus-negative, meaning the treatment helped calm the infection. Some of these women later had successful pregnancies, suggesting that lowering the virus may help improve implantation.
After a positive test, your next steps may include:
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Talking with your doctor about antiviral treatment
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Checking for improvements after treatment
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Planning IUI or IVF with a calmer, healthier uterus environment
A positive test doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with you. It simply means you now know something that can help you move forward with more confidence.
Once women understand what happens after a positive test, the next question they often ask is:
“Can my partner have HHV-6A too?”
Read this article next: “Can My Partner Have HHV-6A Too?”
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 early pregnancy and risk of birth defects. JAMA. 2010.