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STDs (Expert Forum)
Possible HSV-1 infection?
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
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This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
Possible HSV-1 infection?
by jfc77, Jul 14, 2006 12:00AM
Appx 10 days ago I performed unprotected oral sex on a woman, there was also brief penetration but no prolonged intercourse and no ejaculation (very intoxicated). I asked her about her status and she said she was clean of symptoms but had never been tested. A few days later an area on the front of my gums near where my gums and cheek connect felt slightly irritated, almost like the skin was rough in that area although it was not painful. 1-2 days after that I developed a sore inside my mouth in that same location. The sore is fairly small, white/grey with a red base, somewhat shallow and irritating. Other than the sore in my mouth there is no sign of anything on my penis, the outside of my mouth, lips, chin and no painful urination or muscle aches or fever. The sore is healing over naturally and no signs of scabs or puss have developed. I have also had canker sores in my mouth as a child and into my late teens and my mother has had them as well. Being 24 now, its been a long time since I had a canker sore but the given the circumstances it has been making me extremely worried. My questions / concerns are as follows.
From what I have read most hsv-1 cases occur on the mouth and not inside the mouth although when they do occur in the mouth, it is usually on the gums.
From the pictures I have seen the herpes blisters usually occur in clusters but I was unable to find any information on whether one sore for an initial outbreak is possible.
Could the scabs from an outbreak not be present because the sore is inside my mouth?
What are the chances of infection for unprotected cunnilingus with and without an outbreak or present? I did not see any visible sores on her vagina but as I stated earlier I was fairly intoxicated.
HSV-1 and canker sores look very similar when they appear in the mouth. Could the sore in my mouth in fact be HSV-1 or am I overreacting and most likely just have a canker sore?
Is there a high probability I could have contracted either form of HSV on my genitals if in fact the girl was infected?
Thank you again for your time and for offering this service.
From what I have read most hsv-1 cases occur on the mouth and not inside the mouth although when they do occur in the mouth, it is usually on the gums.
From the pictures I have seen the herpes blisters usually occur in clusters but I was unable to find any information on whether one sore for an initial outbreak is possible.
Could the scabs from an outbreak not be present because the sore is inside my mouth?
What are the chances of infection for unprotected cunnilingus with and without an outbreak or present? I did not see any visible sores on her vagina but as I stated earlier I was fairly intoxicated.
HSV-1 and canker sores look very similar when they appear in the mouth. Could the sore in my mouth in fact be HSV-1 or am I overreacting and most likely just have a canker sore?
Is there a high probability I could have contracted either form of HSV on my genitals if in fact the girl was infected?
Thank you again for your time and for offering this service.
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jul 14, 2006 12:00AM
, Jul 14, 2006 12:00AM
First, it is unlikely you caught HSV-1 by performing oral sex on someone. If you acquired oral herpes during that event, HSV-2 is more likely. But if you also kissed her, HSV-1 remains a possibility. On the other hand, about half of all people acquire HSV-1 in childhood, usually without symptoms of cold sores etc. If you already have had HSV-1, it is very unlikely you would catch it again; most people are immune to second infections with the same virus type.
As to whether your symptoms are due to HSV of either type, I cannot tell. Since the risk of catching HSV from any particular exposure of oral sex or kissing is low, and your partner had no obvious lesions, a canker sore or some other cause seems more likely. Seeing a health care provider is really the only way to go. You should do it promptly. Even though your oral lesion is healing and there will be nothing to test, you could have a blood test for HSV-1 and HSV-2; and if negative, a follow-up test in a few weeks to see if one or the other becomes positive. This is basically the only way to know with certainty whether HSV explains your symptoms or to assess when you caught it.
You cannot acquire genital HSV infection unless your genitals are exposed.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
As to whether your symptoms are due to HSV of either type, I cannot tell. Since the risk of catching HSV from any particular exposure of oral sex or kissing is low, and your partner had no obvious lesions, a canker sore or some other cause seems more likely. Seeing a health care provider is really the only way to go. You should do it promptly. Even though your oral lesion is healing and there will be nothing to test, you could have a blood test for HSV-1 and HSV-2; and if negative, a follow-up test in a few weeks to see if one or the other becomes positive. This is basically the only way to know with certainty whether HSV explains your symptoms or to assess when you caught it.
You cannot acquire genital HSV infection unless your genitals are exposed.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
1) Would it be likely that only one sore would appear from the initial outbreak?
2) Would it not scab over because of it being located in my mouth on my gums
3) If I were going to get sores on my lips would they have developed by now? Will they develop in the future? I have never had a cold sore or lesion on my face or lips
4) I was under the impression that HSV-2 could only be contracted on the genitals and I show no symptoms on my genitals. Could it have gotten into my mouth? If so would my genitals then become infected?
I'm pretty nervous as you can tell and plan to go to a clinic after work but some piece of mind might make the day go by a little easier. Thanks again
You seem more worked up than necessary over this. Most likely your symptoms aren't due to herpes. And if they are, you have merely joined the 50% of the population that has oral herpes. With rare exceptions, it's no big deal.
HHH, MD