HSV 1 transmission question

[helpless528]

Hello Doctor;

I may have a cold sore on my bottom lip and my coworkwer gave me some Abreva to put on it.  s he dabbed some on my fingers so I can put it on my lip and she also lets others in the office use the abreva by dabbing it on their fingers.  She says she never put the Abreva to her lips and always dabs it on her fingers ( I give her the benefit of the doubt).

My fear is can a person catch HSV 1 from medication if she used it directly on her sore. the internet is filled with information and doesn't answer the question directly.  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No.  It can take up to six months for antibodies to show up.

To be clear, the reason I suggested testing has NOTHING to do with the so-called "exposure" you wrote about.  There was no risk from that.  The reason for testing is to find out if you have existing antibodies to HSV-1 related to the potential for acquriring infection from your girlfriend.

It is time for this exchange to end.  

EWH

[helpless528]

Hi Dr. Hook;

Last question-Its been 10 days is that long enough for antibodies to show up?
thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

then testing seems reasonable, doesn't it.  EWH

[helpless528]

Hi Dr.

My doctor said it was a pimple and not a cold sore.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, if both you and your GF have HSV-1, you are both resistant to infection form your partner.  If you have any question as to wetehr or not you have cold sores, you should get tested to be sure but I really doubt that it is needed if you have typical, recurrent cold sores.  EWH

[helpless528]

Hi doctor

Thanks for the reply.  My gf took a HSV test and she came back negative for HSV 2 but positive for HSV 1 (1.8 H) and she has antibodies.  

If we had oral sex can i get HSV 1 on my genitals and should i get tested?

[tejodouro]

If you have cold sores, you already have HSV1.  Cold Sores on the lip are a result of HSV1.   You can only catch HSV1 once and you have it forevever.  Whenever you get a cold sore, you ar ehaiving an out brake of the existing HSV1 virus that you have in your body, in your case on the lower lip.  Your co-worker was nice to give you Abreva to help your symptoms. You can not catch HSV1 again because you already carry it.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  Your question perplexes me.  For starters, since your co-worker told you she didn't touch the medication to her lips, why do you not believe her?

Second if you already get cold sores, you cannot get it from someone else. You only get infected with HSV-1 a single time, then you are protected from getting it again anywhere on your body.  

Third, since Abreva is said to kill HSV, if HSV were to come in contact, it would kill the virus.

Fourth HSV is spread by DIRECT contact, not indirect contact as would be the case of her touching her lip, then transferring the virus to you in her medication.

Bottom line, you have nothing at all to worry about.  I hope my comments are helpful to you.  EWH