Is it Herpes???

[CuriousInVA]

I am a 27/f & been dating a guy since Jan. He has HSV & sporadic oral OB’s. The 1st time we kissed he had a cold sore I could barely see. I am unaware of the HSV type or stage it was in. Didn’t realize what this meant until later. I’ve been having sex, oral sex & kissing him for 4 months. I have NOT kissed him w/any sores since the 1st time.  6 days ago we kissed & had oral, & 3 days ago I noticed a bump at the corner of my mouth. It was ~2mm & looked like a blister/zit or a miniscule canker sore.  Immediately thought I must have gotten HSV.  Yesterday (day 2) I squeezed it.  It stays white most of the time unless irritated. It hasn’t changed in size/shape since.  I tried peroxide & Neosporin on it yesterday.  It never tingled like they say CS do, but can be painful.
1. If exposed 4 months ago, & we kiss on a regular basis, would it normally take this long for an initial OB?
2. They say initial OBs are the most severe & this is a single small bump. Can it still be HSV?
3. Seeing how I have picked at it, & used chapstick, what are the chances that it would have spread by now if it is HSV?
4. Should I be tested for HSV or will it be meaningless at this point?
5. If I do NOT ever have any outbreaks, should I still tell any future partners that I was exposed to it?
6. If this is NOT HSV, & I continue to date him, but avoid kissing when he has an OB, what are my chances of getting the virus? If I haven’t gotten it already does that mean I’m probably immune?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

As I said in response to your previous question, you don't describe a lesion that suggest either herpes or HPV.  It sounds most like a pimple, nothing more.  To answer your direct questions:  1) An initial outbreak of herpes can show up months or even years into a relationship with an infected person. But I still don't think you have oral herpes.  2,3) Irrelevant if it isn't herpes.  4) From your description, I see no need for HSV testing.  5) Unless/until the diagnosis of herpes is concerned, you have nothing to tell future sex partners.  6) If your partner has oral herpes, you might be at risk for catching it, either in the form of oral or genital herpes, if he performs oral sex on you.  But I cannot estimate the risk in numbers.  You might not be at risk at all.  Half the population has had HSV-1 (from childhood); if that applies to you, you are immune to a new HSV-1 infection.  But you cannot asssume immunity without a blood test.

Bottom line:  I see no particular reason for you to be concerned, or to suspect that your oral lesion is herpes, despite your partner's history of oral herpes.  But the way to sort this out is to see a health care provider about it.  You'll never get clear answers online, either from me or any other web source.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[CuriousInVA]

Thanks Doctor,

I think you are right.  I knew I wasn't going to be completely at ease until I went to a doctor.  So I went to the free STD clinic, and the doctor told me after looking at it and scraping it a bit that it is angular stomatitis.  I appreciate the time you take to do this for us.  Thanks.

~Curious

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You did the right thing. Good for you!  I repeatedly tell people on this forum to stop guessing, and that their local health department  STD clinic is an excellent resource - but if they go there, most don't come back to say so.  See?  It works!

Best wishes--  HHH, MD