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HSV initial outbreak after 3 days - on tongue?
Hi doctor-
This past Tuesday night (3.5 days ago), I deep kissed/made out with a guy who had no visible cold sores. I, however, had a cracked/chapped bottom lip... noticed it when salt got on the lip at dinner - OW.
We continued to make out all evening.
The past couple of days (3-4 days past kissing), my lower lip - but mostly NOT where it was cracked - is hurting ocassionally, like a minor and momentary burning sensation...
...and this morning, I noticed an ulcer on my tongue. It's fairly flat, flesh colored, with just a bit of red around it. Not very painful at all... again, actually feels like I might have burnt it on hot food (although I can't remember doing that this week.) And it feels better if I wet it - so does my lip.
Went down to the walk-in clinic - have no fever and my lymph glands are fine, say the doctor. Took a viral culture of the ulcer and said "well, a culture won't do much for HSV on the tongue."
Considering this, any thoughts about whether my lip pain and/or tongue 'ulcer' might be an initial OB of HSV? I have never had one before (confirmed by repeated IGG blood tests) If an initial OB of HSV was on the tongue, would it start as a blister first, THEN become an ulcer, or could this still be HSV?
Also: the person and I had quite a bit of "outercourse" Tuesday night? Would you please comment on the HSV transmission risk, if the genital/genital contact was somewhat aggressive? There's a lot of info on these boards... and the skin/skin risk info is somewhat conflicting.
Thank you so much for helping out - believe me, you're doing the world a great service with your compassion and kindness.
This past Tuesday night (3.5 days ago), I deep kissed/made out with a guy who had no visible cold sores. I, however, had a cracked/chapped bottom lip... noticed it when salt got on the lip at dinner - OW.
We continued to make out all evening.
The past couple of days (3-4 days past kissing), my lower lip - but mostly NOT where it was cracked - is hurting ocassionally, like a minor and momentary burning sensation...
...and this morning, I noticed an ulcer on my tongue. It's fairly flat, flesh colored, with just a bit of red around it. Not very painful at all... again, actually feels like I might have burnt it on hot food (although I can't remember doing that this week.) And it feels better if I wet it - so does my lip.
Went down to the walk-in clinic - have no fever and my lymph glands are fine, say the doctor. Took a viral culture of the ulcer and said "well, a culture won't do much for HSV on the tongue."
Considering this, any thoughts about whether my lip pain and/or tongue 'ulcer' might be an initial OB of HSV? I have never had one before (confirmed by repeated IGG blood tests) If an initial OB of HSV was on the tongue, would it start as a blister first, THEN become an ulcer, or could this still be HSV?
Also: the person and I had quite a bit of "outercourse" Tuesday night? Would you please comment on the HSV transmission risk, if the genital/genital contact was somewhat aggressive? There's a lot of info on these boards... and the skin/skin risk info is somewhat conflicting.
Thank you so much for helping out - believe me, you're doing the world a great service with your compassion and kindness.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
First, the "outercourse" is zero risk for genital herpes. Herpes does not penetrate through clothing. You don't mention if there was clothing involved, however. If there was not, and you had genital to genital rubbing with another person that is lower risk but not risk free.
As for your tongue: I very very rarely see herpes on the tongue, and with first infection, I would not expect to see that without sores somewhere else in the mouth area. I have no idea what the doctor meant by that comment, that doesn't even make sense to me. A culture doesn't do much for herpes on the tongue? A culture doesn't do any thing for herpes except diagnosis it, so this doesn't make sense to me. If he is saying that a culture is not good for diagnosing herpes on the tongue, that also doesn't make sense because the tongue can be swabbed like anywhere else on the body. Culture is not as good as PCR, but I don't think that's what was being said, so I am very confused about what was meant by this.
Have you ever been tested for herpes antibody in the past? Have you ever had a cold sore in your life?
Terri
As for your tongue: I very very rarely see herpes on the tongue, and with first infection, I would not expect to see that without sores somewhere else in the mouth area. I have no idea what the doctor meant by that comment, that doesn't even make sense to me. A culture doesn't do much for herpes on the tongue? A culture doesn't do any thing for herpes except diagnosis it, so this doesn't make sense to me. If he is saying that a culture is not good for diagnosing herpes on the tongue, that also doesn't make sense because the tongue can be swabbed like anywhere else on the body. Culture is not as good as PCR, but I don't think that's what was being said, so I am very confused about what was meant by this.
Have you ever been tested for herpes antibody in the past? Have you ever had a cold sore in your life?
Terri
Whoops - thought I posted this to expert forum. Reposted now. Thanks.
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
