How do I know if this is herpes or not?

[MytSam]

I have never had sex before, but I am a hypochondriac and fear the worse of things.

Just yesterday I noticed some spots on the top left portion of my lip (I don't remember how they looked like, though). I kept on trying to rub it and it kind of hurted when I did that. Today, I noticed that on the same spot, 4 - 5 "pimples" or blisters of some sort formed. They don't really hurt when I touch them, but if I rub them they do kind of hurt. The are which the pimples/blisters are on is kind of red as well. Their color looks like yellow.

[MytSam]

Thanks for telling me, petal.

grace,
Well, there was a rash (I guess it was) on the same spot where the cold sores formed. The clinic didn't do any testings; they just looked at it and said, "Yeah, that's a cold sore." Currently I'm using Abreva to "help" it and the blisters seemed to have "popped" or something; only a red spot remains to be healed.

[gracefromHHP]

You rubbed whatever was going on until you made it worse. Did the clinic do any testing on the lesions to confirm herpes?

Our eyes are very sensitive and allow many infections into our bodies. We should be touching our eyes in general as little as possible and always wash our hands before doing so.  When washing your face, you start with your eyes and then do the rest of the face.


grace

[petal130]

Actually, autoinocculation is discussed in the Herpes Handbook, and it's very uncommon. It is highly unlikely you'd transmit this to your eyes. Remember, 45 million folks have oral herpes, and there's not an epidemic of folks spreading it to their eyes or other body parts. Just doesn't happen.

[LeapofFaith]

When you have a cold-sore, its best to avoid touching it.  If the sore is visible and open, it is contagious.  However, it is highly unlikely that you can spread the virus through quick, simple touch contact.  So washing your mouth and later your eye area is not a risk.  But try to avoid touching the cold sore without washing your hands before touching other areas on your body.

[MytSam]

Thanks.
I did read the link and it didn't really answer those specific questions.
So recently I spoke with another friend of mine and found out he also had cold sores. He told me that if I touch the cold sore, I shouldn't touch my eyes. Is that true?

If it is true, then if I use a wet towel and rub the spot with the cold sore and later rub my eyes with it, is it dangerous?

[petal130]

No to all of your questions. Read the link I suggested.

[MytSam]

Ok so I went to a hospital and they looked at it and said yes, it was a cold sore. This is weird to me as I've never kissed anyone or shared anything with anyone who seemed to have had herpies. In fact, I never kissed or shared anything with anyone.

Can cold sores be spread through swimming in the same pool as someone who has it? Or can cold sores be spread through spit?

To add to it, if I have an outbreak and I touch the spot where it's at, then touch any other part of my body, will that part also get herpes?

[petal130]

Oral herpes is not considered an STD - many of us who have it got it as a child from that big smooch from Auntie. Most of us won't make it to the old folks home without it.

If you're concerned as to what your symptoms might be, see your doctor for a proper exam.

You can read more about oral herpes here:

http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_oralherpes.cfm