Hi! As far as I know--and based on many, many previous IgG HSV1/2 blood tests over the years, up until recently--I've somehow managed to avoid contracting either form of HSV.
This means that I'm quite paranoid about contracting HSV1 either orally or genitally. My previous question was about the latter, but now my brain is fixating a bit on oral HSV1.

Namely, I've been looking/inspecting my inner lip, noticing slight irritations or things that seem akin to chancre sores or general irritation, etc. But wondering--"could this be oral HSV?"

I fully understand the typical presentation of oral HSV and how it would generally be on the outside of the mouth, edge of lip line or elsewhere, what it looks like, etc.

But I seem to remember reading that the INITIAL or first oral HSV1 could or would occur INSIDE the mouth, which is why I'm worried now. I obviously also don't want to freak out every time I have a little abrasion or chancre sore inside my lips.

I'm guessing that an initial oral HSV1 outbreak in the mouth would be...a hard thing to miss, and would involve multiple painful sores, sore throat, fever, etc? I think I remember reading this in a now defunct forum that Dr Handsfeld contributed to.

If you could provide some clarity here it would help stop me from questioning whether every little thing inside my inner lip is actually HSV1 :)

HSV 1 can present inside the mouth, though that is less likely than presenting on the outside of the lip or inside the nares.  ---

Thanks Terri!

Yes, you are correct.  The risk is greater from someone who has oral HSV 1 giving oral sex to someone else.  The disclosure of HSV 1 genital infection is way more about trust than about transmission.  Should this come to light at a later time in a serious relationship, it can raise many questions about what else has not been disclosed.  And I've been involved in several law suits about HSV 1 transmission now, I guess that somewhat guides my recommendation.  I realize other providers may feel quite differently and I'm not saying I have the perfect answer.  But if I was HSV 1 negative (which I am not, I get cold sores) and someone with oral herpes did not disclose that to me and gave me genital HSV 1, which can also be quite severe with a primary infection, I would be very upset indeed.---

One follow-up question! Partner of mine recently had genital symptoms, got viral swab and it came back positive for HSV1, not HSV2.
Now, as far as I know (and according to IgG test a month a half ago), I'm negative for both types of HSV. But she and I had sex, including oral sex, about 5-6 days before her symptoms.

Here's where the plot thickens: The only person she had previously had oral sex with, that occurred around 25-26 days before her symptoms started. But THAT person (she checked with them now) does have HSV1 and a history of cold sores every few years.

I'm a bit stumped here in trying to determine who passed on this genital HSV1 infection. 

+I'm assuming that, given everything I've read, the transmission route was almost certainly oral HSV1 > genital HSV1, rather than possible genital HSV1 > genital HSV1.

+Would 25-26 days be an unheard of 'incubation period,' or well within realm of possible? 

She could have been infected for years and didn't realize it or she could have missed her first symptoms with the other partner or your HSV 1 test could have missed an infection.  The IgG test misses about 30% of HSV 1, compared to the western blot.  When you say "she had oral sex with', was that giving or receiving?  giving is not an issue here, only receiving, for her infection.---

She received oral sex from someone with confirmed HSV1. So mainly curious if this is the initial outbreak for her, if 25-26 days after exposure still plausible.

yes, some people don't test positive for HSV 1, even with repeat testing.  ---