different kind of "outbreak"

[curiousmomfl]

My husband gets the preverbial "fever blister" and usually uses an over the counter topical cream to care for it.  Two days ago, he began speaking of "one coming on," and purchased the same cream to treat it.  When "it arrived," THEY were about 15 - 20 and took up the space of one half side of his upper lip.  I have never seen him like that and  am wondering if it could be a different type of herpes.  He doesn't believe that he needs medical attention or treatment for this much larger lesion nor does he believe that he could be contagious enough to expose our young daughter.  Is there a way I can find out if this is due to some other form of exposure?  What prevention should I use or signs should I look for in my 18 month old? Thank you in advance for your response to these questions.

[gracefromHHP]

I encourage your husband to see his doctor since this sounds far more involved than his usual oral herpes ob's.  He could've picked up a bacterial infection in that area ( aka impetigo ) that could be making this more involved than usual.  

As for your daughter - he shouldn't be kissing her or sharing food/drinks with her until he's completely healed.  

grace

[slacker101]

Interesting scenario. Has your husband been sick with a flu or something? Sounds like the herpes came up uninturrputed by the immune system and had a picnic on this guys face. It's the same herpes type and this disease is VERY variable so this time the outbreak was bad, next time it may be not much or none at all forever. It's a hard disease to figure out. As far as your baby, to be honest, I hope she does have it from him and never has an outbreak! That is the perfect scenario since most of the population alreadys has it anyhow and not having symptoms is the best of all and it will prevent her/him from contracting it in the future genitally when someone is giving your kid oral sex