I am 32 years old male.  I had protected vaginal sex with a girl that I just met, which involved kissing too.  Apparently, she had cold sore in her lips that I couldn't realize at first.  2 days after, I had swollen lymph nodes in neck and fatigue.  Then my rear left side of tongue started to hurt a lot, and I realized there were 6-7 white blisters in that area.  Fever, intense sore throat and headache followed.

Today I visited doctor and looking at my blisters he diagnosed it as herpes.  My questions are as follows:

1- The doctor prescribed me 500 mg Valacyclovir pills and Triamcinolone topical cream.  Does it make a difference beating the primary HSV infection on my own or with medication in terms of developing immune cells for the infection in long term? Is it better to use medicine or not?

2- Current blisters are on my tongue's rear left side.  If there will be reoccurances, will it appear at the same spot, or anywhere else? Will it show up as cold sore on lips?

3- Will I definitely have reoccurances? Is there a chance that this will never again appear in my life?

4- How likely I will pass it to my future girlfriends through kissing? Should I tell them my infection in advance?

5- Is it likely to have a cure for Herpes in near future?

Thank you.

1.  What was the dose prescribed?  You can certainly treat outbreaks as they come up, like this one, without taking it every day.  That will allow you to make an immune response on your own but will also help to resolve this outbreak more quickly.  so all of your lesions were inside your mouth, none on the lip?  Was any swab testing done of the lesions in your mouth?

2.  If this is indeed herpes, outbreaks can occur anywhere in the oral area, or even on the face.

3.  If this is indeed herpes, it is likely that you will have recurrences, but not absolutely certain, no.

4.  HSV 1, the cause of cold sores, can be transmitted through kissing, definitely.  I would definitely disclose your oral herpes infection at least prior to giving anyone oral sex, at a minimum.

5.  There is great work being done on herpes now, and I wouldn't be shocked if there was basically a cure in 10-15 years, maybe sooner.

Having said all of that, I sure do wish a swab test had been done of the lesion inside our mouth to confirm herpes as the diagnosis.

Terri

The dermatologist I visited was so sure of his diagnosis, and also my timeline of events and symptoms were so coherent to herpes infection that I didn't do swab test.  I had swelling gums too which I read also typical to primary herpes infection.  But yes,  I'll go and have it done soon, I wish it isn't herpes but seems like I have a very little chance.

1- He prescribed Valtrex (Valacyclovir) 500 mg x 2 times a day for 1 week. So, daily 1000 mg.  Can I increase it if needed?  Triamcinolone topical cream is 3 times a day on lesions. Yes, all my lesions are inside my mouth, and none on the lips.  Started first on my tongue, now had spread to my throat, hard palate and gums. But no lips.

4- I just learnt at WHO website 67% of world has herpes infection.  But I have never heard it from any of my girlfriends so far or from people around.  People seem not to talk about it I guess.  Is there any odds to talk about the transmission rate through kissing where there is no active cold sore?  Should I worry all my life kissing my girlfriends each time? This is so scary.

5- I truly hope there will be a cure soon.  I want to believe that I will not carry this lifelong infection.  Is it possible for you to mention institutions working on it so that I can follow their updates?

Many thanks!

1- He prescribed Valtrex (Valacyclovir) 500 mg x 2 times a day for 1 week. So, daily 1000 mg.  Can I increase it if needed?  Triamcinolone topical cream is 3 times a day on lesions. Yes, all my lesions are inside my mouth, and none on the lips.  Started first on my tongue, now had spread to my throat, hard palate and gums. But no lips.

4- I just learnt at WHO website 67% of world has herpes infection.  But I have never heard it from any of my girlfriends so far or from people around.  People seem not to talk about it I guess.  Is there any odds to talk about the transmission rate through kissing where there is no active cold sore?  Should I worry all my life kissing my girlfriends each time? This is so scary.

There are no odds about transmitting virus when you have no sores, and also, I don't know that you have herpes.

5- I truly hope there will be a cure soon.  I want to believe that I will not carry this lifelong infection.  Is it possible for you to mention institutions working on it so that I can follow their updates?

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Institute

is working on gene editing for herpes - Dr. Jerome is the one you should follow.

Terri