HSV1

Hi, I have several questions/confirmations and appreciate the people that have actually had experience with this. Thanks for all of your contributions.

I have just tested positive for HSV1. However, the only symptom I've had that I was suspect of was a mild rash that lasted 4-5 days in total. I always use protection but the rash came within 12 hours of a stupid 1 night stand, which I've read is too soon for an initial outbreak.

The rash was about 15-20 red spots spread around pubic hair above the penis in a column on the right side (but not directly under any hairs) and only one was raised. They very slightly burned. I was afraid of HSV2 so I posted here and a doc told me no way it's herps.

Either way, I would appreciate it if someone were to help me out.

I've never had cold sores that I know of. Do they always happen on the outside of the mouth? Are they ever mild like a pimple that can be popped? I'm very curious of any similarities to acne...

Do they bleed or only puss? If you leave them be, will they always blister and heal or will they sometimes be so mild they don't blister? Is it possible my rash was from HSV1 as it's transferable (the girl also had genital HSV1) how rare is it?

Is it possible I got this from sharing drinks or kissing - no sign of cold sores ever?

I should mention that for like a month I've had a recurring blister (what I thought was a blocked gland) on the inside of my lower lip that would get irritated from my teeth and if I popped it would be very very gooey/bleed some.

Thanks, I'm sure you guys already know how you can get anxious waiting for answers... I appreciate the help

[yi3o8]

From the handbook: http://www.westoverheights.com/genital_herpes/handbook/downloadthehandbook/updatedherpeshandbookenglishedition-1.attachment/attachment2/herpes_handbook_TW_7-22-07.pdf

and reading some posts... it looks like HSV1 could be responsible for my rash (but I am still not sure - I need to know specific symptoms)

A FEW WORDS ABOUT ORAL HERPES: Because oral herpes can cause a genital
sexually transmitted infection, it needs to be discussed briefly in this book. However, it should
be noted that the vast majority of oral infections (cold sores and fever blisters) are not sexually
transmitted. Oral herpes is often acquired in childhood, and is frequently the result of an adult
with a cold sore kissing a child. But many acquisitions happen totally without symptoms.
Adults who get an oral first infection can have symptoms that are both dramatic and painful.
Blisters can develop around the mouth, inside the mouth, and on other places of the face. The
lymph nodes in the neck and head may enlarge and become very tender. Like with genital
herpes, the infected person may feel like they have the flu.
Most often, people infected with oral HSV 1 have recurrences that occur on the border
between the lip and the face. These are commonly known as cold sores or fever blisters.
Herpes does not cause canker sores, which are sores that occur inside the mouth. When
people have cold sores, they should not give oral sex to others. Like with genital herpes, there is a risk of giving off (or shedding) the oral herpes virus without any symptoms being present.
HSV 1 (is shed from the mouth of people with recurrent cold sores on about 18 out of every
100 days sampled. Though herpes outbreaks rarely occur inside the mouth, shedding of the
virus can occur from inside the oral cavity.
HSV 1 now causes about a third of first time genital herpes outbreaks. At the first
outbreak, there is no difference between how type 1 and type 2 behave. However, if a person
has been infected with type 1 genitally, they are far less likely to have recurrences. The
recurrence rate for genital HSV 1 infection is about one outbreak every other year compared to
HSV 2 genital infection that recurs four to six times per year. It is very important when herpes
lab tests are done (either blood or swab tests) that positive results are typed as either HSV 1 or
2. It is important to know the viral type because a person who has HSV 1 genitally can still
acquire HSV 2 genitally (the reverse almost never happens). In addition, HSV 1 genital
infection can happen in a relationship where neither person has ever had another sexual
partner but the couple engages in oral sex.