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"Tingling"
I am waiting for the 12 week past exposure mark to test for HSV, as I believe I may have been infected back in September. My initial outbreak (if it was indeed an outbreak) was relatively mild, with strep-like sore throat, body/joint aches and dry/burning mouth....but no traditional cold sores on the lips. At around 23 days after infection I had ONE single blister under my lip (not touching the lip, but close). It didn't look like the standard pics I see when Googling "oral herpes", as it was one large bump not a cluster of tiny ones. It also didn't ulcerate and crust, just developed a small scab and healed in less than one week. Still, it was unusual and coincidental enough to scare me into thinking I may have developed oral HSV. (I also developed a similar single bump ABOVE my lip on the other side of my face about a month later that healed even faster.)
The waiting game for testing has been miserable. My anxiety level is through the roof, and not a minute of every day goes by that I don't think about it and worry. Anyway, last night in bed I got it in my head that I felt a mild "tingle" in my left nostril, and ever since I've started feeling itching/tingling sensations all over my face (lips, around mouth, cheeks, chin, eyebrows, near ears, etc.) Is this typical for prodome symptoms, or would it usually be localized in one spot where the sore is going to show up? If the latter, does this mean I'm about to break out all over my face?? Also, as I was losing sleep worrying about the tingling I even started feeling tingling in my genitals! This is a new one! I did not have genital exposure so was not initially worried about that, but now I'm worried that I might have somehow transferred the oral infection down to my genital area! Is it possible that all of this is just due to my heightened nerves? Does all this seem atypical or standard for prodome? The tingling goes away--at least temporarily--if I just lightly swipe my hand across the area.
The waiting game for testing has been miserable. My anxiety level is through the roof, and not a minute of every day goes by that I don't think about it and worry. Anyway, last night in bed I got it in my head that I felt a mild "tingle" in my left nostril, and ever since I've started feeling itching/tingling sensations all over my face (lips, around mouth, cheeks, chin, eyebrows, near ears, etc.) Is this typical for prodome symptoms, or would it usually be localized in one spot where the sore is going to show up? If the latter, does this mean I'm about to break out all over my face?? Also, as I was losing sleep worrying about the tingling I even started feeling tingling in my genitals! This is a new one! I did not have genital exposure so was not initially worried about that, but now I'm worried that I might have somehow transferred the oral infection down to my genital area! Is it possible that all of this is just due to my heightened nerves? Does all this seem atypical or standard for prodome? The tingling goes away--at least temporarily--if I just lightly swipe my hand across the area.
Tingling in some cases is felt by those infected in the region where an outbreak could possible occur. Usually this will last only about half a day before disappearing or proceeding to an outbreak.
Got it. Thanks for all your info and feedback. Back to my original question, if by Tuesday (over 48 hours) I have not had any visible outbreak on my face, is it safe to say that the facial tingling was not HSV prodome related? Or can HSV still cause tingling without an outbreak?
Yes they could well have been cold sores. Only a swab would confirm this however. Two little blistery things would be most likely a recurrence though. They can occur anywhere in the oral nerve region, most likely places like lips and in your nostrils.
So far I don't believe I've had an actual cold sore. My understanding is that cold sores are ON the lip, are often painful, and progress in stages including weeping and crusting, and usually last longer than a week. I have not experienced this. The two blistery things I had at separate times were near the lips, but not on them. They went away and healed in less than a week. These would not be considered "cold sores", correct?
If it is exactly the same kit then you would lean toward a recent infection. The issue is that blood testing can miss about 1 in 10 infections.
By all means disclose that you have cold sores if that is your conclusion. But the timing and source is still very questionable. A single tiny blister is far more likely to be an recurrence than a primary outbreak which could be a more widespread outbreak, multiple sores potentially rolling for a couple of weeks.
As to source, practically any kiss could be a potential source, from little nieces and nephews to Aunt Fanny.
By all means disclose that you have cold sores if that is your conclusion. But the timing and source is still very questionable. A single tiny blister is far more likely to be an recurrence than a primary outbreak which could be a more widespread outbreak, multiple sores potentially rolling for a couple of weeks.
As to source, practically any kiss could be a potential source, from little nieces and nephews to Aunt Fanny.
She's never tested to my knowledge. So even my recent test said negative for HSV, if I suddenly turn positive after 12 weeks that would not indicate the infection was new? And even though there is a decent chance she already has an infection, I would still feel morally obligated to disclose that I have it. I can't just hope to go on like normal and risk possibly giving her a new infection.
The thing is though even if you test positive for HSV1 by some test in future, it may not a guarantee that the stripper was the source. This is to do with the nature of blood testing for HSV1.
If you did not get cold sores on the lips/mouth area in the 2-10 days post the incident, then this means two things. First, it is somewhat unlikely you had a primary infection of HSV1. Second if you do discover you have HSV1, then there is a reasonable likelihood that you have been infected for some time.
There is also a chance that your girlfriend has an oral HSV1 infection already. Has she ever tested.
All in all there is not a lot to be gained here. You've learnt a lesson. We all take risks entering relationships that an oral HSV1 infection will exist in either or both partners, that situation is no different today as it was pre a possible exposure.
If you did not get cold sores on the lips/mouth area in the 2-10 days post the incident, then this means two things. First, it is somewhat unlikely you had a primary infection of HSV1. Second if you do discover you have HSV1, then there is a reasonable likelihood that you have been infected for some time.
There is also a chance that your girlfriend has an oral HSV1 infection already. Has she ever tested.
All in all there is not a lot to be gained here. You've learnt a lesson. We all take risks entering relationships that an oral HSV1 infection will exist in either or both partners, that situation is no different today as it was pre a possible exposure.
I took a test 7 weeks post exposure and came back negative for both types. (Although my "negative" for HSV-1 was on the high side: .50, vs. just .07 for HSV-2.) My panic stems from the fact that I've had a long-term GF (6 years) who conveniently has been across the country teaching one semester at Duke while all of this has been going on. The 12 week mark comes up just before Christmas, which is when I will see her again, and if it turns out I have a new infection I don't know how I will explain it to her and have no idea how she will react. My concern is not for my own health (I realize HSV-1 is relatively harmless...basically an intermittent cosmetic issue), but one can't shake the stigma of saying they have just found out they have "herpes". I'm terrified she will leave me, and I love her very much. I don't want to date other people in the future....I want to stay with her. I had one stupid, drunken incident with some friends and a stripper, and even though everyone--including experts here and my own doctors--has told me my risk was almost zero, these symptoms seem to be too coincidental. I can't believe I'm this unlucky, but starting to think maybe I am and anxiety is starting to turn to depression.
Unlikely this is prodrome based on what you describe. But that is most likely independent of whether you do or do not have an oral HSV1 infection.
This is a very common infection. So common it should be assumed you already have it unless it is proven that you do not. Is this the case for you, have you ever had a negative IgG antibody test for HSV1?
It is hence quite possible that you've had the infection since your youth and have experience an outbreak that seems a very rare occurrence for you.
Even if you do not presently have an oral HSV1 infection, more than half the people you will date in future will have the virus. Maybe you will be infected and maybe you won't, but a life lived worrying about the infection will most definitely be a life half lived.
This is a very common infection. So common it should be assumed you already have it unless it is proven that you do not. Is this the case for you, have you ever had a negative IgG antibody test for HSV1?
It is hence quite possible that you've had the infection since your youth and have experience an outbreak that seems a very rare occurrence for you.
Even if you do not presently have an oral HSV1 infection, more than half the people you will date in future will have the virus. Maybe you will be infected and maybe you won't, but a life lived worrying about the infection will most definitely be a life half lived.
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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.
