Oral HSV2 Exposure

[GiselleAriann]

Good afternoon,

About one month ago I had unprotected oral sex with a man that I have come to find "may" be infected with genital herpes.  There were no obvious sores/lesions on our around his genitals.  About 11 days after this encounter, I developed small red sores on the inside of my lower lip and one red sore on either side of my cheeks.  The cheek sores disappeared in a couple of days, but the sores inside my lip took about 10 days to clear up.  I went to the doctor, she looked at them and said if looked more like an irritation or reaction to something, but not Herpes.  She did not take a culture.  

A few days after those sores cleared up, new sores appeared mosltly in the same areas as the last time.  I've had them about four days now.  I am planning to go back and request a culture since I know it is likely too soon for a blood test to reveal anything.  What are the odds that I contracted HSV2 orally, with no other symptoms (no sore throat, fever, no lesions on my lips (outside) or skin.  I just find the timing of this reaction suspicious due to my possible exposure.  

Many thanks for your time.

[gracefromHHP]

even if you have hsv1, that doesn't mean that everything that goes on in your mouth is due to hsv1. make sense?  follow up as needed for your symptoms.

[GiselleAriann]

Sorry Grace - hit submit too soon.  I guess I'll wait another week or so to see if these clear up.  If they don't, I think I'll go to an ENT like you suggested.  Thanks for your quick responses and feedback.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate that.  

[GiselleAriann]

Hi Grace,

Got the results back.  Positive for HSV1 rating was 1.61, negative for HSV2 0.06.  Interestingly, I'm only getting sores on the inside of my bottom lip and icassionally on the cheek.  Nothing on the outside

[gracefromHHP]

I'd be seen monday and have these looked at again.  An ENT specialist would be a good idea if your regular provider isn't of much help.

odds are this isn't oral herpes going on so getting better answers as to what is going on is what you need a provider to do.

[GiselleAriann]

Grace - one more question if you will, as I await the blood test results.  It's really more of an opinion request.   I have finished the prescribed Valtrex.  Not only did my sores not go away, I have new sores and two of them look like blood blisters.  Really dark red, but quite small, one on my lower inside lip, one inside my cheek, very close to the gum line.  Im your experience, does this seem like a Herpes outbreak? I get a burning sensation in my mouth before these sores appear on my lower lip (the one location where I have most of my sores).

[gracefromHHP]

if they are doing herpes igm testing, they are wasting your time and money :(  it's not an accurate way to detect recently acquired herpes infections.

feel free to post any blood testing once you have it.

[GiselleAriann]

Thanks Grace for the quick reply.  I went to a different doctor today who said the spots look like Herpes, but he took blood to confirm if I've been exposed.  I asked him if the test would be accurate since exposure was so recent and he advised it would be able to indicate if I have it, and what strain (1 or 2).  Since I'm absent of any other symptoms of a primary outbreak, he couldn't say for sure that what he was looking at was herpes, but that is what he thought it to be.  I should know in about a week or so.

[gracefromHHP]

lesion cultures are most accurate when obtained within 48 hours of the appearance of lesions. it might be too late now to get any answers. certainly be seen again though since you have symptoms again so they can look at them.

grace