Oral Herpes Infection?

[jojoraccoon]

Hi, I'm a guy in his early twenties.

Recently, about 4 days a go, after some kissing a woman performed oral sex on me, and now I am worried about a Herpes Infection.

I did not notice any noticeable blisters or lesions on her mouth, but obviously I couldn't see inside her mouth. I have myself tested occasionally because I'm active and I recently came up negative for everything.

However, 2 days ago, I noticed three very small bumps on the inside of my lip. I could feel them, but they weren't very painful. They never grew in size, and I think they are fading right now. They also never popped or scabbed, which I hear cold sores usually do. What really worries me is that today I've developed a rather painful sore throat, which feels similar to Strep. I also feel generally fatigued and sore, like one normally does with Strep or the Flu. It's only on one side of my throat, and is just a very sharp pain when I swallow or yawn.

I was outside in the bitter cold yesterday for about 4 hours yesterday, so I might have caught a cold from the weather, but it still has me worried. I tend to be a mild hypochondriac when it comes to Herpes.

My questions are: From the encounter I described and my symptoms, does it sound like I contracted Oral Herpes from that woman?

If so, what is the likelihood that that infection would have also caused Genital Herpes? So far, I have felt nothing that indicates herpes near my genitals.

I'm going to get tested in a few weeks, but I'd much appreciate any comments you can give me.

Thanks!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

These lesions you describe do not suggest oral herpes.  As far as your comment about not seeing the inside of her mouth is concerned, it may be worth pointing out that most oral (or in medical terms, oro-labial) herpes occurs on the lips and adjoining skin, not on the inside of the mouth.  Other factors which make herpes unlikely is that they lesions were only three in number, that they lasted only three days, that there was no discomfort associated with the lesions and that they did not go on to form ulcers.

Regarding the risk of genital herpes from oral sex, it does occur and, for reasons that are unclear, sometimes exposure to a partner with a cold sore leads to oral herpes and sometimes genital herpes.  If one were to get infected which would occur should both sites be exposed is, in large part, a matter of luck.  

In your own case, it is also worth pointing out that most exposures to partners with oral herpes do not lead to infection.

Bottom line- my advice is to not worry.  There is nothing you have told me to suggest that you got herpes from the encounter you described.  EWH

[jojoraccoon]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that the oral sex was unprotected. It was a lapse in judgement on my part

[jojoraccoon]

Thanks Dr. Hook