I had a primary HSV2 genital infection 14-15 years ago. Is it possible for me to give someone HSV2 by kissing them, whether I am experiencing a recurrence or through shedding? I am worried about kissing my daughter on the lips. 

My 2 year old had some swelling on her bottom lip last week and what kind of looked like a cold sore. It never really blistered, but the area got really red and dry and the rest of her bottom lip started peeling. I am really worried that I may have given her HSV2 by kissing her, she used one of my towels or got a pair of my used underwear. She also did bump into my crotch area with her mouth/ face area but I was clothed. 

I was also informed by planned parenthood that she may have gotten HSV2 at birth and it has been dormant until now? My OB was aware of the HSV2 at birth and my pregnancy and we took all the necessary precautions. I was under the impression that if she did acquire it, she would have had severe symptoms at birth or weeks following birth. 

First of all, have you ever had oral symptoms like cold sores? If yes, did you have that prior to your primary genital infection?  If you've ever had a cold sore, you already have HSV 1 orally.  HSV 2 doesn't "like" the mouth area and if there, rarely recurs or sheds.  Most people who have HSV 2 genital infection only have it genitally, not orally.  The virus doesn't come up through your body and out through your mouth.  It stays in the group of nerves that supply the genitalia, buttocks, thighs, lower belly. 

It is fine to kiss your daughter on the lips if you have no lesions on your mouth.  The way we kiss our children is not the way we would kiss a lover, for example.  Your lips are quite thick and the virus is not given off without symptoms except from parts of the body with very thin skin.

Terri

At the time I was swabbed genitally, I had nothing on my mouth. Should they have swabbed my mouth or should I go get an oral test now? I have never had a cold sore to my knowledge. When I was pregnant, I had a blood test and was negative for hsv1. Only positive for HSV2.

Could she have acquired it at birth and it has been dormant (planned parenthood told me this and freaked me out) ? I had no active lesions at time of birth and started on acyclovir at 35 weeks. Could she have acquired it from my used towel or underwear or bumping her face into my groin area while clothed?  I have a bump on my vagina on Sunday night, it never blistered or scabbed, it just went away and I started taking my acyclovir right away, but now I am paranoid that I may have been having an outbreak and infected my daughter with my saliva. 

Is it typical for a herpes bump to just go away on meds or do they still run their course?

If you had no symptoms orally, swabbing wasn't necessary or appropriate. 

If your daughter had acquired HSV at birth, she would have likely been very very sick.  You did all the right things at her birth.  She didn't acquire it from using your towel or bumping her face into your groin.  That is NOT how this is transmitted. 

I don't think for a moment that you have this orally nor do you need to get worried about your saliva. 

It is typical for a herpes bump to go away with medicine without becoming a full blown outbreak.

Terri