Could this be HSV 1

[Rangers22]

I suffer about 3 - 4 herpes cold sore breakouts per year on my upper lip, always right in the middle of the lip.  Well yesterday I felt a tingle similar to what I feel when I get a breakout on my lip, but this time is was above my lip, between the lip and the nose.  As it turned out I was at the doctor yesterday for my physical and he said it looked like I irritated myself shaving (ingrown hair maybe) and said put some vitamin E on it.  I did that but, then at night it started to look like the herpes cold sore I get on my lip so I put some Zovirax on it.  

This morning when I got up it already had a crusty scab on it, usually the ones on my lip take about 5 – 7 days before the scab.  Now when I look at it sometimes looks like a herpes sore and sometimes not.

Could the similarities just be a coincidence?  Any thought, thank you.

[auntiejessi]

Hi there -

1 - Its possible to still transmit it, but its never guaranteed that you would pass it on.  Having contact when you have an outbreak significantly increases the chances that you would though.  You should wait until the sores are completely healed.

2 - Yes, it makes it very unlikely that you would ever get genital hsv1.  

Grace already answered the way I would have - its impossible to tell, and since it cleared up so fast, its not likely, but possible.

Aj

[Rangers22]

Thanks for the feedback

Two other questions:

1) If someone has an HSV1 sore on the lips (late stage, scabbing) and engages in oral sex is it 100% certain the partner would be infected.  Not that anyone should put someone at risk but I have always been curious about this.  Would it be less if the partner has HSV1 orally already.
2) Is it true that if you have HSV1 on the mouth it makes you less susceptible to getting in the genitals?  I read the body would have built up some sort of immunity to it.

Also, can you look at my original post, do you think it could be razor burn or an ingrown hair.  The sore has had none of the characteristics of the sore I get on my lips except for the original itch and some scabbing, again it scabbed in about 24 hours.

Thanks

[auntiejessi]

Hi there -

I found this on valtrex.com by googling it -

The recommended dose for VALTREX is 2 grams taken at the first sign of a cold sore, and then again about 12 hours later. It’s important to start treatment with VALTREX at the first sign of a cold sore (such as tingling, itching, or burning). There are no studies that show if VALTREX works when used after the appearance of a cold sore. But be sure to follow your healthcare provider’s specific instructions. When treating cold sores with VALTREX, you should not take it for more than one day.

I am going to speak for Grace, who isn't online today, but I know its easier for her to answer questions here rather than in PMs.  It also helps because others can read your questions.

Aj

[Rangers22]

Also do you welcome personal messages or do you prefer just post for Q&A

[Rangers22]

What would be some of cold sore doses of any of the herpes antivirals?

Also this new "sore" is almost all gone 36 hours after I thought I felt the itch.  It has given me no pain whatsoever.  Not sore at all.

[gracefromHHP]

It's an area that hsv1 does occur in.

It's hard to tell if this is a cold sore or not. If your partner is hsv1 negative I'd avoid contact until it's completely healed just to err on the sid eof caution.

Oral antivirals work much better than topical zovirax does. Have you tried the cold sore doses of any of the herpes antivirals?

grace