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Question about Oral Herpes...
I was diagnosed with genital HSV2 by culture and type-specific blood test back in the middle of May. I have been on daily Valtrex since then.
About six days ago, after eating something rather greasy, I rubbed my lips pretty aggressively with a napkin. About two hours later, I started experiencing a tingling sensation in my lips, but I couldn't see anything on them when I looked in the mirror. A while later, I started to get a small bump just above the corner of my mouth--small, raised, with a whitish center. I put ice on it for quite a while and that seemed to make it go away, although the tingling all over my lips continued. My fear immediately was that I had somehow transferred my genital herpes to my mouth/face, but I've been diligent about hand washing, etc.
The next morning was better, and still no sign of anything, but my lips continue to tingle, both the top and the bottom, and the area above my lip feels as if I have prickly heat rash. Last night, even my chin started to tingle. It seems to come and go. Now my lips appear rough and chapped--I haven't moisturized or put anything on them (I usually wear Chapstick or Blistex all the time, but when I tried Chapstick it seemed to sting a bit.)
Here are my questions: Is it possible that despite my best efforts I transferred my genital Herpes? Is it possible that I also have HSV1 and rubbing my lips so hard triggered it? Is it possible I contracted HSV2 both genitally and orally from the same encounter or person?
And if this is oral Herpes, how is it that I'm having my first ever oral outbreak WHILE I'm taking antiviral medication? I would have that it would offer me some protection. I've never had an oral outbreak, even as a child, so I don't know what they feel like. My boyfriend things that between the rubbing and the ice and the lack of moisturizer, I've just irritated my face, but it just feels so strange to me.
If I went to the doctor, there wouldn't be anything to culture, I don't think, because I don't see anything that looks like a blister. Is it possible that the antivirals are keeping me from having a full on cold sore and instead I'm having a mild outbreak?
I'm afraid to put anything on it because if it is herpes, I don't want to make it moist.
Like I said, this is the sixth day...not sure what to do or what to think here. Would an oral outbreak affect my entire mouth and chin? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
About six days ago, after eating something rather greasy, I rubbed my lips pretty aggressively with a napkin. About two hours later, I started experiencing a tingling sensation in my lips, but I couldn't see anything on them when I looked in the mirror. A while later, I started to get a small bump just above the corner of my mouth--small, raised, with a whitish center. I put ice on it for quite a while and that seemed to make it go away, although the tingling all over my lips continued. My fear immediately was that I had somehow transferred my genital herpes to my mouth/face, but I've been diligent about hand washing, etc.
The next morning was better, and still no sign of anything, but my lips continue to tingle, both the top and the bottom, and the area above my lip feels as if I have prickly heat rash. Last night, even my chin started to tingle. It seems to come and go. Now my lips appear rough and chapped--I haven't moisturized or put anything on them (I usually wear Chapstick or Blistex all the time, but when I tried Chapstick it seemed to sting a bit.)
Here are my questions: Is it possible that despite my best efforts I transferred my genital Herpes? Is it possible that I also have HSV1 and rubbing my lips so hard triggered it? Is it possible I contracted HSV2 both genitally and orally from the same encounter or person?
And if this is oral Herpes, how is it that I'm having my first ever oral outbreak WHILE I'm taking antiviral medication? I would have that it would offer me some protection. I've never had an oral outbreak, even as a child, so I don't know what they feel like. My boyfriend things that between the rubbing and the ice and the lack of moisturizer, I've just irritated my face, but it just feels so strange to me.
If I went to the doctor, there wouldn't be anything to culture, I don't think, because I don't see anything that looks like a blister. Is it possible that the antivirals are keeping me from having a full on cold sore and instead I'm having a mild outbreak?
I'm afraid to put anything on it because if it is herpes, I don't want to make it moist.
Like I said, this is the sixth day...not sure what to do or what to think here. Would an oral outbreak affect my entire mouth and chin? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Thank you both so much for taking the time to respond. I'm sure a lot of what I'm feeling is anxiety; coming to terms with my HSV2 status has been a struggle to say the least. It's very easy to worry that every little twinge I feel is caused by Herpes.
I'm going to ask for a copy of my test results to see exactly what type of testing was done and what my numbers were.
I appreciate your recommendations, and I'm sure I'll have more questions at some point. Thanks again! :-)
I'm going to ask for a copy of my test results to see exactly what type of testing was done and what my numbers were.
I appreciate your recommendations, and I'm sure I'll have more questions at some point. Thanks again! :-)
your lip symptoms don't sound at all like herpes going on. if just otc lip moisturizers aren't making it better, see your provider monday for further work up. Sounds more like very chapped lips, an allergic reaction or even a fungal infection of the lips.
If they do feel this is herpes, make them prove it with a swab of symptoms!
grace
If they do feel this is herpes, make them prove it with a swab of symptoms!
grace
I am glad you are asking question about your herpes. I would first like to invite you to read a great resource for herpes and that is the herpes handbook. It was written by nurse practitioner Terri Warren who owns the West Over Heights Clinic and she deals with a lot of Herpes cases including studies and so forth. You find the free herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com. It has a LOAD of information for you to read. A lot of questions you have can be answered there.
When one rubs the skin hard and long with something like a napkin it can irritate the skin and cause breaks in the skin. The irritation is what you are feeling when it stings and burns (think razor burn even). The same thing would happen if you did the same thing on your arm. Its going to cause a problem.
With all of that being said. Oral HSV-2 is rare and not many people have it. For lack of a long response let's just say HSV-2 doesn't like the oral region. Now when one has an established infection (which given you had this at least since may) you don't have much to worry of auto-inculation (self infecting in a different location). The reason is that your body now has an immune response to fight HSV-2 from being able to infect you. It's why you having chickenpox already won't lead you to getting infected again. Your body knows how to fight the infection and has an antibody for it.
Could this be HSV-1? Doubtful sounds more like you irritated your skin you aren't keeping it mosit so the skin is reacting to it by doing what it is doing. The "tingling" you are feeling is more anxiety than anything I bet. You are over sensitivie to everything and worrying about herpes. Nothing really to worry about here.
You and your partner should get a type specific igg blood test to know who has what. You can skip HSV-2 as you know you will be positive for that. You just need to know if you have HSV-1 or not and if your partner has either.
Please keep asking us questions! Just keep them all in this thread (not saying you haven't just one of those friendly reminders :-) )
When one rubs the skin hard and long with something like a napkin it can irritate the skin and cause breaks in the skin. The irritation is what you are feeling when it stings and burns (think razor burn even). The same thing would happen if you did the same thing on your arm. Its going to cause a problem.
With all of that being said. Oral HSV-2 is rare and not many people have it. For lack of a long response let's just say HSV-2 doesn't like the oral region. Now when one has an established infection (which given you had this at least since may) you don't have much to worry of auto-inculation (self infecting in a different location). The reason is that your body now has an immune response to fight HSV-2 from being able to infect you. It's why you having chickenpox already won't lead you to getting infected again. Your body knows how to fight the infection and has an antibody for it.
Could this be HSV-1? Doubtful sounds more like you irritated your skin you aren't keeping it mosit so the skin is reacting to it by doing what it is doing. The "tingling" you are feeling is more anxiety than anything I bet. You are over sensitivie to everything and worrying about herpes. Nothing really to worry about here.
You and your partner should get a type specific igg blood test to know who has what. You can skip HSV-2 as you know you will be positive for that. You just need to know if you have HSV-1 or not and if your partner has either.
Please keep asking us questions! Just keep them all in this thread (not saying you haven't just one of those friendly reminders :-) )
Should also say that while it feels a lot like an allergic reaction, I don't really have any significant swelling, and it hasn't responded to Benedryl. Thanks.
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
