[Question #5034] Oral herpes question

78 months ago

Hello Doctor, my question is regarding oral herpes. I recently developed a redness around my upper lip vermilion and it also caused my upper lip portion slight pain. I felt itching a lil now and then but nothing that I could see a bump or blister that has fluid in it. It subsided in 3.5 days. I took pics and today I went to see a dermatologist. He looked and said it’s herpes without any basis. I question how would it be as I did not kiss anyone or has oral sex. He went on to explain u need not kiss it can infect u through touching even when there is no sore on other person and with a hand shake and touching your lips. When I visited another a Doc last year for itching and rash in groin he ran Elisa and also western blot as it persisted from UoW Seattle and it came negative for both 1 and 2. Following that I have been with two women but no kissing or oral sex involved however we had foreplay. There was licking of breasts and no playing with vagina but she kissed my facial area but I don’t think she has any sores.

Do you agree that this is a sub clinical infection that he mentioned that never showed up as oral herpes. He said my body has it but I am not showing it out. He kept on saying it is oral herpes and he tried to convince me. I am confused. Any thoughts?

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

78 months ago

I would strongly disagree with your doctor. Herpes is NOT transmitted via shaking hands and touching your lip.

It does not sound to me like the contact that you had presents any risk whatsoever of herpes. And if your blot was negative prior to that, I think you can believe that you are not infected. I don't think you need to be confused any longer about this.

Terri

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77 months ago

Thanks for clearing the confusion. I read on your several posts that if you ever had pimple on your mouth or nose it could be herpes. May I know how do you describe this pimple? Would it eventually break open or just stay as a bump and not cause any pain. One lady in your posts said she never had pain but just one or two pimples on mouth occasionally.

Have you ever seen herpes spreading via breasts licking or via kissing on ears, nose when cold sores are not present? The red area healed in four days however after the sixth day I saw the skin on that effected area peeled off no crusting. I could see the skin come off and I removed it around that red circular area Which concerned me. My wife is having these pimples on her upper lip often but she suffers from Acne A LOT. She never kissed anyone in her life nor her parents have. I am pretty sure they don’t as they only has one partner in their life.

Can you take a look at the redness I described? I will try to upload them on a webpage and send u the link...

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

77 months ago

Good question. Oral Herpes lesions generally water filled blisters and they most often come in small clusters, not a single pus filled pimple-like structure. Herpes lesions do eventually open or ulcerate. it isn't possible to know for sure if your lesions is herpes or not without a swab test, looking for the herpes virus. I would suggest that you have it swab tested, if it returns. Very important to help you sort this out. It is also important not to assume that this is herpes, based simply on redness above your lip. I'm so sorry, but we do not allow pictures on this website.

Terri

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77 months ago

I thought of getting it swab tested but it did not form like a blister nor it popped open. It was just red in that area. I tried looking very closer and in minute detail. I can tell you with confidence that me and my wife never kissed anyone else.

1). So from the kiss on ear and breast exposure you don’t see a need to test it and no concern for herpes?

2). If I had any exposures it probably would be just the breast exposure or foreplay but never kissed or have anyone let me kiss me on my mouth area. I am not asking you to diagnose this but pls take a look.

My ear is irritated for the last few days and I could feel slightly pain inside my ear drum area should

I be concerned about this in relation to Herpes?

3). With my western blot being negative and this redness can I assure myself this is NOT at all herpes based on the exposures I had? Like I said ignoring the fact I kissed my wife and she is surely negative for herpes. Can you pls see below link:

https://m.imgur.com/a/Gkcqj1s

4). I did not feel a need as the area was slightly red and slightly painful But not very painful. The doc who saw photos said it no where looked like classic herpes.

5). I have a final exam coming up day after tomorrow and not able to focus due to the pressure and anxiety.

6). Would you recommend another western blot in the next few months?

7). Can you tell a lil about transmission of herpes? What are the ways people get it?

8). I had No oral and genital exposures after my western blot so can I assume I don’t have it? And never kissed anyone in my life other than wife. We are going through a hard family lofe which is why I did these stupid mistakes.

9). My mouth is itching and kind of tingling sometimes should I swab it?

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

77 months ago

1). So from the kiss on ear and breast exposure you don’t see a need to test it and no concern for herpes?

Correct

My ear is irritated for the last few days and I could feel slightly pain inside my ear drum area should

I be concerned about this in relation to Herpes?

I don't know how you know that your wife is not infected with HSV 1 but assuming she is not, you should rely upon the blot results

https://m.imgur.com/a/Gkcqj1s

4). I did not feel a need as the area was slightly red and slightly painful But not very painful. The doc who saw photos said it no where looked like classic herpes.

Good

5). I have a final exam coming up day after tomorrow and not able to focus due to the pressure and anxiety.

I'm sorry you are doing this to yourself, I'm sure it is stressful

6). Would you recommend another western blot in the next few months?

I woul dnot

7). Can you tell a lil about transmission of herpes? What are the ways people get it?

Either by kissing or by sexual contact

I believe I have answered this above, I do believe that you can assume that you do not have it, correct

9). My mouth is itching and kind of tingling sometimes should I swab it?

I see that you already did go to get a swab.

Terri

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77 months ago

Can you describe this further pls?

7). Can you tell a lil about transmission of herpes? What are the ways people get it?

“Either by kissing or by sexual contact“

Do you mean sexual contact is oral and vaginal sex? Or do you also consider breast foreplay and other things like fingering as part of it? Thank you for the patience and understanding.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

77 months ago

7. Sex (oral and intercourse) and kissing someone who has the cold sore virus

Breast foreplay is not sex, as I am defining it. Fingering does not result in genital infection

Terri

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