HSV-1 oral to genital spread

[Finbarr]

Hi,
I am a 21yr old female, i recently had what i thought was a cold sore on my lip, i say what i thought because i don't get them very often and so i am unused to the symptoms, i used zovirax on it until the spot was gone, although it didn't blister and didn't hurt as much as i remember cold sores ought to.
I thought i was in the clear once it was gone, as i very very rarely get a reoccurance within a short time, so i felt free to kiss and perform oral sex on my boyfriend (who says he can't ever remember having a coldsore, and thinks he doesn't have the virus).
However the morning after this i felt another tingle in my lip, athough i am unsure whether this is another cold sore or not, as there is no blistering yet, and it is not sore to the touch, it just tingles, i am still afraid that i may have shed the virus to him during oral sex the night before.
What are the risks of him contracting the virus genitally in this case? We have been kissing for longer than one night and he has shown no sign of getting a coldsore.
I am becoming a bit neurotic about the whole thing and it is distracting me from my exams, which are what i think gave me the original coldsore!
Thanks for your help,
Fin

[gracefromHHP]

There are pluses and minuses to both systems.  Neither are ideal that's for sure :(

grace

[Finbarr]

Maybe cause i'm a student yeah,
Medicines here are never too expensive cause of the NHS, it's really different to how you guys do it, i'm under the opinion that you're system may be better though!

[gracefromHHP]

Unfortunately it will be more expensive in england probably.  I always just assume everyone lives in the states.  Though I think you'll get it relatively cheap if not free with your health plan?  

grace

[Finbarr]

Thanks a lot,
I've always used the cream before and usually it works fine, i think that this time cause of the stress (therefore lowered immune system) and the amount of sun we've, unusually, been having the sores have come out with a vengeance! Brilliant!
I'll get the prescription off the doctor asap, may have to go to a Pharmacy though, we are sadly lacking in Wall Marts over here in England, but thanks anyway for the tip.
I hope that he doesn't catch it cause i will feel like a moron for giving it to him, i guess if he does though then we can stop worrying and neither of us will be HSV-2 so should look on the bright side... Hmmm...
Fin

[gracefromHHP]

Not recalling a history of cold sores doesn't mean that he isn't hsv1+ already.  At this point - it's a wait and see approach. If he doesn't notice anything within the next 2-3 weeks then it's not likely you transmitted hsv1 to him.  If it really matters to the two of you he can follow up with a herpes blood test to see what his hsv1 status is ( and hsv2 while he's at it ) to see if you even need to keep worrying about hsv1 in this relationship.

topical zovirax ointment doesn't really do a lot for cold sores.  You'd be spending your money more wisely on oral antivirals in the cold  sore doses. I'm assuming you are student - you can get 30 200mg acyclovir from walmart and similar places for $4. Have your doctor write you the prescription of acyclovir 200mg dispense 30 take as directed to get it at that price and then take 4 pills 3x/day for 2 days at the very first sign of a cold sore about to start ( 800mg 3x/day ).  

grace