Herpes Medication found in my husbands bag

[countrysidefields]

I have just found empty packets of tablets from an online pharmacy box dated 17th dec 2024 for anciclovir in my husbands laptop bag.
All the empty packets and packing was also in the box, like it was hidden in there.
When I googled that medication it's used for genital herpes. He doesn't and never has had cold sores.
I am obviously thinking the worst seeing how it was hidden away. Please don't judge me, I wasn't actually looking on purposes, I happened to come across it.
Am I right to be assuming the worst?

You need to speak to him. It could be for a different reason but I cannot imagine anybody hiding shingles or cold sores (despite the latter basically being the same virus as Genital Herpes - Simplex 1 vs. 2

I had similar with an ex (I found his medication in his bathroom cabinet) and so confronted him.

Can't get shingle treatment at super drug

Actually you can lol

why the op should talk to her husband before mumsnet

I would trust your gut on this one and not let him give you a load of shit about how it's for a cold sore. You live with him I'm pretty sure you'd know if he had a cold sore or another illness.

Ok?

I was given those for shingles, box of 35 tablets, one to be taken 5 times per day

The tablets themselves are huge - I could send you a photo of the box and my instructions

onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/shingles-treatment.html

But surely if he was prescribed it for shingles,he would have mentioned it to the OP? I've never had shingles but I'd imagine that it is something that would be quite difficult to keep secret from someone that you lived with.

Genital herpes, like cold sores, once contracted never leaves you, the five day courses sound like treatment for an outbreak. He could have had this for years and treated himself when necessary, but since it's very contagious I'd have expected him to tell you.
Unless you were intend on keeping something secret I don't know why you'd pay Superdrug when you could get the medication from your Dr, or why you wouldn't tell your partner.

I have had shingles a couple of times and had tablets 5 times a day for 10 days. It seems dosage varies.

I had blisters on my neck and felt very fluey and unwell with it (all the other typical symptoms) so I would be surprised if he didn't seem unwell. If you take it early it does significantly lessen the symptoms. The first time I didn't have it and I was a lot worse.

I know with cold sores the virus can stay in your system for years. My brother has it from being a teen and gets them on occasion.

@countrysidefields sorry OP. your "d"h is not prone to cold sores. he has no reason to hide if he had shingles. the only alternative is that he has been up to no good and has caught genital herpes! take a pic of the box inside his bag. actually take the box and see if he notices and starts to panic! then talk to him. Sex is an issue, for a while now we havnt had it . Him having genital sores might be the reason for no sex!* *note: Acyclovir does not cure herpes, but it does relieve the pain and make the infection clear up faster. I dont think it will be a good talk!

If you go on their website it says that is the only condition they will prescribe it for. So I think it is fair. I checked as I thought folks were whipping the op into a frenzy but Superdrug are very clear, this is all they prescribe this med for.

I get my GP prescriptions sent to Boots online pharmacy so that I can have them delivered, is it possible Superdrug do the same?

Shingles
Chicken pox
Eye infections
Skin infections
Encephalitis
Genital herpes
Cold sores

Its not just genital herpes. I admit it's suss that he hasn't said what it's for, but it's not only for genital herpes.

What do you mean - I wasn't looking on purpose? You should look on purpose - trust noone. I always do, and I don't feel apologetic about it. My dh is also welcome to look through my stuff, and why not?

A pp checked her super drug account, and although the medication can be used for a variety of conditions superdrug only prescribe it for genital herpes.

100% suspicious.

Yeah it maybe used for all these other medical problems as people have said but.... why hide the package and the meds? 🤨

Just weird to me, I would defo be having a conversation about this.

Even if you're not having sex l, you would still see his body and notice shingles and cold stores, wouldn't you ?

But it is just for herpes via Superdrug, that last part, needs to be factored in, it’s critical,

Superdrug absolutely do prescribe acyclovir for cold sores. I have my own prescription, ordered from superdrug for my coldsores in front of me.

That being said,my husband knows why I order it and what it is for

A normal STD panel that they do at clinics doesn't test for herpes. It'd be good to rule out anything else but they don't test for herpes unless you have symptoms. It would have to be a blood test. Just something to bare in mind.
I'm sorry I can't think of any innocent reason for why he's hidden them but I hope there is one!

If it were me op (and I've been in very similar shoes so thinking what I would do differently if it happened again). I'd have snooped far more before confronting my stbxh because when I confronted him I got a very minimised version of events and then he got rid of all evidence and was more careful going forwards so it took me much longer to find out (by chance) that it was worse than I thought.

Get yourself tested regardless and watch for flare ups, dig into finances and emails/messages etc and photograph evidence you find. Then confront if it's safe to do so.