Can I get genital herpes through my mouth?

I am a male. I got the flu two days after sex with a woman. Two days into my flu I my left nostril began burning. After 2 more days the reddness subsided as did my flu symptoms. I wore a condom during intercourse, but peformed unprotected oral sex on her. I also suspect that my condom may have broken/leaked during intercourse.

I had not been sick in years, but this time I was down for a few days. I felt tired, sore throat and ached all over. I did have congestion in my chest and a bad cough to go with it - I'm not sure if this clears me since the descriptions for the "flu-like" symptoms related to herpes aren't very detailed on the internet. I am sure that I did NOT get a high fever if I had a fever at all - I took my temperature sewveral times.

I did notice that during my flu my back broke out with a dozen or so small pin sized pimples, but I never felt any pain and pimples on my back is common. They were each about 2-6 inches apart from sholder to shoulder, which is the worse outbreak that I have experienced. They are pretty much gone 4 days later.

I have noticed a line of what might be very small blisters on the inside of my upper and lower lip, on the left side. I used to have cold sores/fever blisters when I was in my teens, but have not gotten any in 15 years. I am not feeling any pain, but did feel a tingling sensation.

After reading more about herpes, I am noticing an ache on my left inner thigh. My genitals aren't in any real pain, but I do feel a soreness just above them. This maybe due to my constantly checking for blisters swollen lymph nodes. I have not seen any blisters or signs, I am a little raw in one small area. I sometimes get penile yeast infections, so I don't know if that's what I am feeling right now.

Even if the condom didn't break, can I still get genital herpes from kissing or oral sex with someone with genital herpes? I may already have had oral herpes from before, but the flu-like symptoms may suggest a new kind of infection.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

First about the ache in your thigh:  That has nothing to do with any of this. You can't get genital herpes by oral sex, and you used a condom for genital sex.  And herpes doesn't first show up with thigh pain.

People can acquire oral herpes by performing oral sex on someone with genital herpes.  But if that had happened, you probably would have had overt, painful blisters or sores of the mouth and lips; the first infection always shows up exactly where the body comes in contact with a partner's infection--  and presumably the oral sex did not primarily involve your nose! Anyway, catching oral herpes this way is very rare.  Finally, herpes symptoms don't show up in only 2 days.

There is no reason to suppose you have anything but a garden variety respiratory viral infection -- whether actual inluenza or something similar.  Almost certainly not herpes or any other STD.  You may have caught the flu from your sex partner, but 2 days is a bit too soon for symptoms to start.  Most likely your illness has nothing to do at all with the sexual exposure.

Of course see a health care provider if your symptoms persist or you otherwise remain concerned.  But don't worry about STDs.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[Sanmarcos]

Thank you for you reassurance, but I have a little more to share.

I don't know if I mentioned this, but it has only been 8 days since my sexual encounter. My flu started within two days and I am finding small clusters of blisters inside my mouth & lips as of today.

I did a more thorough exam of my mouth and I found a cluster of small white specs inside my mouth, on my cheek lining by my last molar, small white spec clusters on both inside corners of my mouth and some irritation on my gums. The cluster by the molar is surrounded by what appeared to be a small (5mm) dark red scab (blood-blister). I scraped it off, it was hard and it bled when I removed it. I am not feeling any pain there, but I do know that this wasn't there last week.

I am married and have a small two-year-old daughter and I am concerned about passing any of this on to them.

Does any of this sounds like herpes, now that these new symptoms have arisen today?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The additional information does not change my opinion.  This doesn't sound at all like herpes, which usually would cause lesions throughout the mouth, not the localized patch you describe; and within 24 hours the "blisters" would have become very painful oral sores.  Most likely the only thing you could pass to your wife or child is your viral respiratory infection.

Of course the way to know for sure is to see a health care provider; it is pointless to try to learn the definite cause by online searching.  There is nothing more I can do.

[Sanmarcos]

Thank you very much. i'll try to relax and I'll let you know if anything else comes up until I see my doctor. I hope you are right and I am just worrying myself over nothing.

When I go see my doctor, is there a specific type of test I should expect or look for?

- R

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You should just follow your doctor's advice.  In the meantime, relax. All this has nothing to do with your sexual adventure.

[Sanmarcos]

Thanks again for walking me through this. I have one more scenario to run by you.

I originally stated that I was feeling a little raw in a small area on my penis, so I went back to take another look. I found a small cluster of 5-6 pin-sized (tiny) little whitish bumps. I have been feeling the irritation for about 2 days now. I have dark skin so I can't really tell if there is any major discoloration. I am uncircumsized and found them when I pulled back the foreskin, under my penis. When the skin is released, the area sits at the very tip of my penis and it is a little more sensitive than other part of my foreskin. And as the events are coming back to me, I am recalling that I might have briefly pressed against her vagina unprotected (1 second max).

Excuse me for sounding paranoid, but there seems to be a lot of new things going on at the same time. Thanks for bearing with me.

I know you said that nothing I have described sounds like herpes so far, but would this new situation change things?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

This also does not change my opinion or advice.  You don't describe anything that sounds abnormal to me; seems like you're just paying too much attention to normal variations in the appearance of penile skin.  But if you are concerned, show the area to a dermatologist.

No more comments, please.  This thread is over.

[heretohelp7]

A related discussion, In response to H.Hunter Hansfield, M.D. was started.

[Goofball99]

A related discussion, Too much vicodin? was started.

[rockstar07_10]

I just took a blood test and my igg came back positive for herpes and igm came back negative if I do have genital herpes and somehow gave it to my wife and we perform oral sex regular before finding out that we have it for sure can genital herpes infected your mouth and face like. Oral herpes does? Cause I don't want blisters on my face or view wise mouth.

[rockstar07_10]

I just took a blood test and my igg came back positive for herpes and igm came back negative if I do have genital herpes and somehow gave it to my wife and we perform oral sex regular before finding out that we have it for sure can genital herpes infected your mouth and face like. Oral herpes does? Cause I don't want blisters on my face or view wise mouth.

[Reynah]

I have been diagnosed with genital herpes since April. I've had 3 outbreaks already and they hurt so much. This past week I've been discharging alot with burning and irritation on the outside of my vagina. I also have noticed tiny little bumps on my upper lip and one tiny red bump towards the corner. About two days ago I lifted up my upper lip and noticed a couple tiny red bumps. Could it be what I'm  eating? I have taken lysine  but I'm not sure if it is really working. What can I do to keep this virus under controll and stop the symptoms from  getting worse?

[Reynah]

And also can genital herpes lead to the mouth on it's on? Can it go on to the roof of your mouth to the point where you can't even eat? White little bumps in back of your tounge related to gh?

[Reynah]

Please help!