Sores on Corner of Mouth - Urgent, Thank you

[mjpe]

Hi,

For the past week, the right corner of my mouth has a sore that is surrounded by redness, about the size of a dime.  The sore is subsiding now with the redness almost not noticeable.  

I am in my late 20s, heterosexual and have not engaged in high-risk sex.  The only other symptom that I had was swollen lymph nodes for a day.  But, I do have bad allergies and because of where I live, I generally have problems this time of year so this is not conclusive either.  I was screened for STDs in February 2007 and came back negative for all (HIV, HPV, etc.).

In early April 2007, my fiance tested positively for Chlamydia but negative for all other STDs.  As a precautionary measure, my fiance and I both took medicine (Erithromyacin) and I was subsequently retested for all STDs again and came back negative.  

But, this sore developed about a week ago and obviously I am becoming paranoid again.  I don't feel ill in any manner.

I have unprotected sex with my fiance, but as far as I know she has been faithful.  We have not had anal sex.  I have not had sex with others.  Other than Chylamydia, all her tests came back negative.

I am wondering what could be the causes of my sore.  I do not have a good diet, and I do have a very stressful job.  So these could be factors as well.  I am also confused why she would test positively for Chlamydia and I would not, considering we frequently have unprotected sex.  

One other thing, my fiance has had problems in the past with yeast infection and I am wondering if I could have gotten these sores from giving her oral sex.  Should I get retested?  Am I worrying too much?

Thank you,
mjpe

[Teak]

Did you test for HSV1, which 3/4 of the population has? You can get HSV1, just by kissing or you could have been born with it and you are now just having your first outbreak.

[mjpe]

I was tested for Herpes in February and came back negative.

But, the doctor said my liver readings (I am not sure if this is the correct terminology) were marginally weaker than expected and I am not a heavy drinker.  She thought this could have been a sign of herpes.  But, my test was negative.

My mom died when I was young, but I do remember her having sores frequently but I never thought much about it until now.

Do you think I should be retested?

What are the odds this is HPV?  And what are the odds that it is anything worse?  

Thanks for your reply.

Takecare,
Mike

[Teak]

That's something you'll have to talk with your doctor about.

[mjpe]

Sorry, I don't understand your reply.  

What do I need to talk to my doctor about?

Thanks for your help.

Does this sound like anything more serious than potentially HPV-1?

Can you test negatively for herpes but still have HPV-1?

Thanks,
mjpe

[monkeyflower]

Your liver readings have nothing to do with cold sores (if that is what you have).

Over 50% of people have HSV1, and most acquired it in childhood (not from birth--neonatal herpes is relatively rare and can be very serious). If you do have it, it is NOT a big deal--but since you're worried, you and your gf should both get tested. Make sure it's a type-specific blood test like HerpeSelect. An IgM test is worse that useless. But keep in mind that sore really could have been anything. If it was more like a crack in the corner of your mouth, it could be angular cheilitis.

And in answer to your last question, yes, I think you are worrying way, WAY too much :-)

[hope_Im_OK]

Chlamydia is actually rather hard for a man to get. Most men get chlamydia from unprotected anal sex (where he is the "insertive partner")

The chlamydia bacteria is highly present in the stool of the carrier.

If you were having vaginal sex only, chances are that you didn't get chlamydia.

Sadly, she could have been a carrier of chlamydia for YEARS (even before you knew her) and not known about it since women don't often manifest the signs. If you plan to have children, she will need to have her reproductive organs examined because the bacteria may have caused significant damage to her reproductive system.

Like the others suggested, I would recommend a test for HSV-1. That would explain your oral chancre sore.

[Teak]

Any sexually active person can be infected with chlamydia. The greater the number of sex partners, the greater the risk of infection. Because the cervix (opening to the uterus) of teenage girls and young women is not fully matured, they are at particularly high risk for infection if sexually active. Since chlamydia can be transmitted by oral or anal sex, men who have sex with men are also at risk for chlamydial infection.

[19_weeks_to_go]

""Chlamydia is actually rather hard for a man to get. Most men get chlamydia from unprotected anal sex (where he is the "insertive partner")""

That statement is false.  Chlamydia is the most common STD and anyone can get it... vaginally, orally and anally.  

Not sure where you found your info.

[txtony]

what? clamydia (chlamydia) next to crabs are the easiest to contract...

[mjpe]

Thanks for all your replies.

So now my sore has healed, but I had a break-out of acne of my neck.  I haven't had acne in years.

Any follow on thoughts?

Thanks again.

My doctor said I was bordering on paranoia and suggested that I not be retested considering I had been tested in February and April.

[mjpe]

So here's an update on my situation.  

Commentary from the physicians on this web site is, as always, greatly appreciated.  Thank you for your time.  

The rash on my neck worsened on May 1st and I went to the emergency room.  The head doctor on call said I had a bacterial infection and prescribed that I use Bactroban Ointment and 250 mg Cephalexin tablets.  The reason my infection spread so badly is I shaved.  

Although the doctor insisted that my rash was not a symptom of herpes, I asked that a test be conducted for 100% certainty.  A culture was performed and I tested negatively for Herpes.  

Sensing I was extremely worried, the doctor assured me this was nothing more than a bacterial infection - potentially Impetigo.  

The medicine was extremely effective and my rash largely cleared up in 2 days and was completely gone in 3 days.

As my final questions for peace of mind:
1) Because the bacterial medicine was so effective and the doctor felt that my rash was not a symptom of HIV or Herpes, plus a negative Herpes culture test was performed, can I feel extremely confident that I am "safe"?
2) My fiance's Pap Smear came back and was 100% fine too.  So again should I feel that we are "safe"?  

I apologize about the seemingly paranoid questions.  Just hearing one more time that I'm fine is appreciated.  I have many people dependent on me and cannot risk failing them.  Thanks again.  

I guess the one reason for my paranoia is I have had "sweats" at night on and off since this situation started.  Admittedly, this could be stressed-induced, how I dress when I sleep or the warmer weather.  But, this is the primary source of my continued, although decreasing, paranoia.