Herpes or what?

[desperatefemale]

About two months ago I have been having a burning sensation in mouth and on face. I have been in a monogogamous relationship for 7 years and we perform oral sex regularly.  I have herpes 2 which I have gotten from a pevious relationship.  In my current relationship we try to be very careful to use condoms which could be very difficult at times, however he hasn't developed any problems so far.  Anyways I performed oral sex on him around two months ago and the very next day I had one little bump appear on my top lip no itching or burning.  Later that day I had another white bump appear on the other side.  After that day, later on that week I started feeling a burning sensation and little white bumps on my cheeks, bottom of my face, inside mouth, tongue, and everywhere.  I ask my boyfriend has he had any issues and he is fine.  I went to my doctor and told him that I believe I gotten cold sores on my lips and he told me to double up on my Valtrex for the day and they should go away.  However, they didn't.  By the way the bumps on my lips never blistered opened up or anything. They just went away.  I never told my GP about having oral sex (too embarassed).  However, now it seem like the infection or burning sensations has spreaded to my cheeks, chin and everywhere.  I have made an appointment with my GYN this Tuesday and I will mention it to her. Do you think I gotten oral herpes with just the burning sensations, no visible sores?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The symptoms you describe do not sound like any STD and definitely not herpes.  That the oral lesions didn't go away on their own, and didnn't improve on a higher dose of Valtrex, proves they aren't herpes. Conceivably you are having some sort of allergic reaction or chemical irritation--but I cannot tell, and I also cannot tell whether it is related to your oral sex experiences.  

I don't understand why you are embarrassed to tell your GP about your sexual activities.  There is nothing special about oral sex today; it is understood by everybody, including your GP, to be a normal, regular form of sexual expression among healthy people.

Sorry I can't be more helpful.  But the good news is that you have no worries about herpes (or any other STD) as the cause.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[desperatefemale]

I continue to have the burning sensations in my tongue and also keep geeting the tiny bumps along my lips and face that also burn.  Will a allergic reaction continue to do that?  This is so frustrating because I scared that I could oral herpes all over my face.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I cannot say what you DO have.  But as an STD expert, I can confidently say what you DON'T have:  Herpes or any other STD.  There is no such thing as "oral herpes all over the face".  That just doesn't happen.