Concern over Autoinoculation

[WorriedDude33]

A few days ago, I noticed a tingling on my lip - kinda freaked a little because I know about cold sores (even though I have never, in recent memory at least, received one - I'm 19). Tingling went on and off for about 36 hours - no pain or itching. Then, no symptoms, no cold sores - no nothing. During this time, I probably, while in the bathroom, touched my saliva and then touched my genitals within close proximity. My question is this: Is there a chance I auto-inoculated my genitals? My upper right thigh (maybe in the groin node area) is a little sore, and it's 3 days after.

There is nothing I did (kissing, etc) in particular to get oral herpes within this time frame, although I was spending a lot of time with my parents and they get cold sores.

[WorriedDude33]

hahaha, nope, no incest to report. Thanks again for all your help - it's easy to freak out over this stuff

[gracefromHHP]

unless you were romantically kissing them, you were not at risk. social pecks are not a risk as an adult.

[WorriedDude33]

is it possible that it was a primary oral infection, though? Again, there's nothing in particular that I can think of that would lead to that infection, but I was living in close proximity (on vacation) with family who does get cold sores - although I guess I've been doing that all my life

[gracefromHHP]

it usually does not happen actually.  We don't even talk much about it here unless someone asks because the risk of it occuring is THAT low. In your situation it would need to be a newly acquired oral herpes infection and more along the lines of self fellatio being performed in order for it to be a risk, not the simple contact you described.

[WorriedDude33]

thanks for the responses. If this develops into anything, I will let you know. The thought of autoinoculation is just plainly scary, and most people have no idea it can happen

[gracefromHHP]

this isn't a worry. you didn't transmit hsv1 to your genital area if indeed you even do have it.

in your age group, 1 out of every 3 people has hsv1 orally but less than half get obvious cold sores to know it. It's very common.

grace

[WorriedDude33]

thanks for the prompt response. Yea, I'll go test myself too. so, chances are that I don't have it on my genitals, correct?

[Mistakeguy789]

You should get tested to know your HSV status.  Tingling could just be an irritated nerve or a muscle twitch.  You aren't going to autoinculate yourself with an established infection though either.