HSV-1... did I infect myself

[AlexisSummer]

When I was 16 I had two episodes of vaginal irritation and one where I got a rash on my lower stomach that went away.  About 6 yrs later I got the same rash on my lower stomach and after going to the doctor was diagnosed with HSV-1 on my lower stomach.  I got one other episode a year after that, but besides that I was fine.  Yesterday I woke up with blisters on the corner of my lips.  I went to the doctor today who said it was probably herpes.  I've thought about all the possible ways I may have had exposure, in the last 5 days, but I can't think of kissing anyone (other than my fiance), sharing drinks, eating after anyone or anything.  Did I infect myself?  I've read that generally in you have it in one location it won't really spread, so I'm confused how this could have happened without a new exposure.  Can HSV-1 just appear in its location of preference after its in your body.  My fiance has never showed any symptoms, so I don't think I got it from him.  I'm just really upset, that I thought I was in the clear and now I am getting infections at other locations.  Any advice on how to stop myself from infecting myself?  I know you can take the same medication for both location break-outs, but I've heard the dosages are different, is that something I should consider when getting a prescription to keep in the house from my doctor?  

[AlexisSummer]

Thanks for your response.  I assumed the lower stomach outbreak was directly related.  I had never thought of the option of contracting it at both locations at the same time, without getting symptoms at both locations initially.  I got a culture done on Sunday, and I got preliminary result of negative and was told to wait until Monday for the final results.  I misspoke above as I only had blisters on one side of my mouth.  My fiance has not been tested (to my knowledge) but that is a good idea for us to do in the future.      

[gracefromHHP]

the lower stomach and the genital area are all the same nerves so you can have ob's anywhere in that area. it's not spreading the virus to other body parts.

anywhere from 1/4 -2/3's of folks who contract hsv1 genitally also contract it orally at the same time. hard at this point to figure out if you had contracted hsv1 orally when you were 16 and this is just your first recognizable oral recurrence, if you recently contracted hsv1 orally or something non-herpes related since I assume you didn't have a lesion culture done from the sounds of your post.  having cold sores on both sides of the lips would be unusual. would've been helpful to have had a lesion culture to confirm herpes or not. angular cheilitis is another common condition that causes those symptoms as well as you can have a contact dermatitis too in both areas.

has your fiance been tested to know his own status so that you can  make educated decisions about what precautions to take together?

grace