shaving and cold sores

[?question]

I have had cold sores or herpes for years now. They have always been on the same side of my face.  after shaving the opposite side of my face I received bumps on my face the next day that resembled the virus.  I have not once had cold sores on the opposite side of my face.(Again, I have had the virus for years and this has happened to me only after I shaved my face.)  Is it possible that the virus can change locations.  I thought it could be the result of ingrown hairs.  Furhtermore, what caused me to worry is that I had oral sex with my partner. About 4days after, she came down with a chest cold,stuffy nose and slight fever. Her roomate was sick and also had these symptoms. I checked in with her and her fever is gone. All she is feeling now is a bit of a chest cold and stuffy nose but no fever.  For the most part she is feeling much better.  It has been 13 days now since we had oral sex and she has not complained of any other symptoms.  Is there anything to worry about or am I just overreacting?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

There probably is some small potential for local auto-inoculation of HSV by shaving around herpes lesions.  But other possibilities are much more likely, such as folliculitis due to staph or strep.  See a health care provider if the problem persists.

Herpes does not cause symptoms of "chest cold,stuffy nose and slight fever".  She and her roommate are sharing a garden-variety cold, not your herpes.

Good luck--  HH, MD