fever blisters - herpes

I am 40 and never had an STD,  cold sore or fever blister.  My girl friend is 40 and has a fever blister.  Is that herpes and what should I be doing going forward ?  Am I going to get herpes from that.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Fever blisters are herpes of the mouth.  They are mainly contagious when they are fresh and not dried up.  Transmission between attacks is very uncommon, but not impossible.  Oral sex can transmit herpes to the penis, but the virus recurs less often if it's caught that way.  Basically, she is like tens of missions of people who get cold sores.  If you avoid direct contact when the sores are fresh, you should be OK.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[umyu]

A related discussion, Cold Sore or not? was started.