First time - what is going on.

[sager]

I have a girlfriend, we've been going out for 6 months now.
She was tested for HSV and all STD's not long ago because she's a paranoid freak, and she came out negative for everything.
I have never in my entire life had a cold sore, or anything that could POSSIBLY suggest oral herpes, or genital for that matter.
However, 4 days ago, I noticed what looks like a cold sore on the right side of my lip.
I'm freaking out because I'm very scared of herpes, and I'm just SO confused.
1) does a cold sore ALWAYS = HSV-1???
2) i kissed my girlfriend while i had it, because I thought it was just a little pimple. will she have it for sure now?????
3) right now I'm assuming I have it, so I'm being a paranoid little freak. For example, if I accidently touch it with my finger, I will wash my hands for like a full 5 minutes to ensure i don't like touch my lips with that finger and get a herpes outbreak on that part of my lip. am i being ridiculous? like, if i touch my cold sore and then touch another part of my lip, will i get one there?

I AM SO CONFUSED PLEASE HELP I'M FREAKING OUT!!!!!!!

[auntiejessi]

If you have it orally, the chances of you getting it genitally are very low as long as you've developed antibodies.  As long as you are avoiding direct contact during an outbreak, you should be fine.

You should ask your doc for a type specific IgG blood test, and your gf should ask to see if that was included in her testing.  I'd be surprised if it was.

AJ

[sager]

thanks a lot, emma. i appreciate it.

also, if she does have HSV-1, and let's say it's... monday and she has a cold sore, and then on friday it LOOKS like its completely gone.... is it still possible to transmit it to me if she performs oral sex on me? like if it LOOKS like its completely gone, could i still get it on my penis?

[Emma_08]

1) Cold sores usually are always due to HSV-1 infection.  However, oral HSV-1 is not considered to be an STD.  You could have had HSV-1 for many years (most people acquire it during childhood), but have not shown symptoms until recently.  It's not too unusual - about 50% o the population have oral herpes, even if asymptomatic.
2)  Not necessarily - and it's possible she already had HSV-1.  Whatever the case, it's really nothing to be upset or worry about..there are no serious health consequences from HSV-1.  Just do not have oral sex while you have an active cold sore - it is possible to transmit to the genitals.
3)  There's no reason for this - you can't transmit the virus to other parts of your lip...cold sores usually appear on the same part of the lip, even if not in the exact spot.  Auto-innoculation is most common during a primary outbreak (but doesn't happen that frequently).  Just don't avoid contact with your eyes and genitals after touching a cold sore.

Bottom line:  There's really nothing to worry about here.

Good luck,
Em