My first question is, is there a way to effectively block cold sore transmission between outbreaks? My girlfriend usually gets cold sores in her nose but occassionally has them under her nose. I have avoided kissing her at all but desperately want to. We have occassionally used a bandage or scotch tape between her nose and upper lip. Is there anything better/less intrusive that you could suggest (e.g., liquid bandages or are they pourous?). Am I being overly cautious between outbreaks?
Second is that seven months ago, after unprotected sex with my girlfriend I had a painful burning sensation on my penis accompanied by redness. No blisters formed. She denied ever having any genital symptoms herself but did have the cold sores in her nose and also, but rarely, under her nose. On the fifth day after my pain began I saw my doctor. The redness had faded considerably and the pain was lessened. He said he could not culture it and didn't know what it was, perhaps a yeast infection (my girlfriend denied having any yeast infections for many many years). I went back two days later and saw a different doctor in the clinic, as mine was away, because I had an intense burning sensation around my abdomen. She checked my glands, wasn't sure about the burning around my abdomen and echoed my doctor's thought that she did not think it was herpes.
I have had no recurrence of the above symptoms for 7 months but worry about herpes.
About 6 weeks after what I just described above, I did break out in hives: lips, neck, penis, and elsewhere. It could have been triggered by some nuts I don't usually eat but who knows for sure. Since then, my forehead, cheeks, and chin have been more red than usual and I am itchy. Hence, I was instructed to take an antihistamine daily (changing the active chemical/brand every 3 weeks or so) and have been doing so which reduces the itching. I have also been congested since the hives broke out. What do you make of this and is it connected to the above.
My own lay impression is that I contracted herpes (1 or 2), lowered my immune symptom somewhat and have had a prolonged hive-type reaction kept at bay by the antihistamines. Blood work shows a slightly lowered platelette count.
thanks so much.