Primary Oral Herpes

[SILVERBOX]

I appreciate you taking the time to consider my question. I will attempt to provide the relevant information in a succint manner. Approximately 9 -10 days ago I developed a bad sore throat which lasted about 2 days. On day 3 I had a deep kiss with a woman other than my wife. On day 4 I immediately began feeling tremendous guilt and I became very concerned about oral herpes. I started monitoring my lips on a very regular basis. On day 5 I noticed I still had a significant amount of congestion which I related to the sore throat. I was still checking my mouth very often for signs of herpes. I was apply chap stick very often and sucking on cough drops. As of day 7 I had a low grade fever, however, the sore throat didn't return. The only real problem was very clogged sinuses with lots of congestion. On day 9 I went to the doctor with signs of a sinus infection. Early that day I noticed 2-3 small patched of peeling skin inside my lower lip. It looked sort of like a hot beverage burn. I pulled at the skin and was very scared. The doctor diagnosed a sinus infection and stated an antibiotic. I showed him the 2 small patched and gave him the kiss history and told him I was afraid it was herpes. I have no history of prior cold sores. I am an adult. The doctor said the areas looked like a burn with peeled skin and that herpes would be multiple fluis filled blisters. The doctor said "that's not herpes". The next day I had 3-4 of these little peeling skin patches inside my lower lip. They are small, round and the skin peels easily. They don't hurt. I also seem to have peeling skin under my upper lip. After the skin has peeled it looks like you can see an outline of the small circle where the patch was located. If you pull the lip all the way down it looks like there might be small marks where the skin peeled and it appears new peeling skin is trying to form.

I am convinced these are primary herpes sores. It is 24 hrs after they first appeared and I am fearing more are going to develop.

1.I would like to know if this sounds like  primary oral herpes

2. Should I expect more sores to develop and over what period.

3. Is it possible this si something else and not primary herpes

4. Is it possible this is related to the sinus infection.

5. What precautions should I take and what treatment should I be seeking.

6 What are the long term consequesnces.

I am an emotional wreck and  appreciate any information you can provide.

T

[Ohsolucky]

I thought I was the only one (who is married) that has shared a kiss with someone (who is also married) and are worrying about HSV.  But unfortunately after the deed was done I went and got tested for both HSV 1 and 2 and, lucky me, I have both! I knew I had HSV 2 since I was infected early in my 20's and have always taken great care to abstain if there was any question of an outbreak. Unfortunaately I was NOT aware of my HSV1 status. This poor person who I shared a kiss with is now suffering from what I believe to be an inital outbreak, on the lips.  I can honestly say that I have NEVER had a cold sore in, on or around my mouth until now.  After our kiss we both began experiencing tingling on our lips, it felt like mine were on fire, or thousands of little bugs were in my lips.  I am assuming mine is a first time outbreak too due to the length of time and symptoms. We are still dealing with this problem, it has been 4 or 5 weeks and it is not getting better. So, I believe that you do not have the virus. And I am sure you are thankful for that. I and my kissing friend still have to deal with our spouses.  Wish us luck!

[cortland]

Quick question. I performed up with this girl and two days after had a sore throat for a few days. Afterwards about 7 sore appeared on my tounge. They looked just like those small sores that would appear if you touched ur fingers to your tounge that people get at all ages. I became concerned though and then they went away. Afterwards two oval spots remained but havnt had sores on them on the top of my tounge and those small sores keep re appearing on the sides on my tounge. A pediatrician told me they were nothing and just to salt water them after i went to the doctors when conditions were the worst. Do I have to be concerned? Will they end up totally going away? Are they contagious? And who should I see about it? Thank you

[SILVERBOX]

Doctor, thany you for the information and the advice. I have a follow up question. I am trying to stop looking in my mouth and move beyond the focus on herpes. i have consulted a counselor.

I am convinced the original peeling skin was just peeling skin except when I look in my mouth now I find a small red spot inside my lip, it looks like a cut that won't heal. It has looked unchanged for 3 days. I also today have a similar red spot on the roof of my mouth. This is new today. All this weeke time one eye has been leaking puss and it feels like there is something in the eye. I am concerned that from all the toching of my lip and inside my mouth I transferred herpes to my eye. Is this common and aren't the spots inside my mouth I describe consistent with oral herpes.

I am trying to read and read again your original reply for some support to get me beyond the constant looking in my mouth, however, these new symptoms including the eye issues are difficult to explain other than oral herpes.

As an adult aren't primary herpes outbreaks usually more severe with a high fever. What should I look to regarding the new mouth symptoms inside lip and on roof to try and determine if primary oral herpes is an issue. Thanks again.

[SILVERBOX]

The 2-3 peeled skin patches inside the lower lip which I fear were blisters have all covered over with new lip skin within 24 hours. There is still an outline of these patches visible and the pigment is different. There was no scab just new skin which formed. I hope this additional information is helpful.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

1.I would like to know if this sounds like primary oral herpes
Not at all.  Primary oral herpes produces high fever, painful swollen glands, and sore, bleeding gums.

2. Should I expect more sores to develop and over what period.
No.

3. Is it possible this is something else and not primary herpes Yes--probably nothing at all.

4. Is it possible this is related to the sinus infection. Yes.

5. What precautions should I take and what treatment should I be seeking.
You need reassurance and counseling to deal with your guilt.

6 What are the long term consequences.
Marital instability, not herpes.

Please get hold of yourself, and get whatever help it takes to do so.  You don't have primary oral herpes.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[sparkeler]

Wow!  You are really over reacting.  First of all about 70% of the population already has oral herpes due to type 1 with or without any noticable outbreaks, so most likely you are already infected.  (Most people are infected in childhood, btw.)  Even if you just recently acquired it, you may have one outbreak and never have another one again.  Oral type 1 herpes is known for less outbreaks.  I have had one cold sore in my entire 25 year life and have been infected since I was a kid, i.e. before i even kissed a boy. (Your wife most likely already has it too.)  Don't stress.  It's really not that big of a deal.  Hope I helped ease your anxiety over this while your waiting for a response.  (Are you sure its not guilt?)

[SILVERBOX]

The woman didn't have any obvious sores or lesions on her lips. I obviously couldn't see inside her mouth. I don't know if these facts are important. Thanks again.

[SILVERBOX]

The fever was low grade 99.5 and the peeled skin areas didn't hurt. Thanks again.

[SILVERBOX]

The Doctor also said my glands are slightly swollen, however, this is believed related to the sinus infection. Thanks again