Possible Herpes Risk

[tweety76732]

I have posted this in the open forum but would really like a doctor to answer my question. Last Thursday I had unprotected oral and vaginal sex with a partner I have been with before but we are not a comitted couple. 5 days later I noticed I had a sore throat and my lymph nodes were swollen. I went to the doctor and he performed a strep test, which was negative. He diagnosed it as tonsilitis. The thing that has been in the back of my mind is that I have heard that tonsilitis can be a misdiagnosis for herpes. I did not think of it at the time I was at the doctor but it has been upsetting me for a few days now. I have no sores in my mouth that I can see (and I would think that if there had been some the doctor would have mentioned it) Am I being paranoid here? Is this a serious risk? After two days on antibiolics my throat is no longer sore but my lymph nodes are still a little swollen. Any help you can provide would be appreciated. Thank you

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

If you had acquired a new case of oral HSV 1 infection, I would expect that you would also have some external manifestation - like sores on the lips.  Have you ever in your life had a cold sore on your lip or on your nose?  If yes, then you already have herpes in your oral area.  If you are improving on antibiotics, then that suggests to me that your doctor was correct in the diagnosis of a bacterial infection rather than herpes in your throat.  

To answer your question, I think you are being a bit paranoid, and there is no serious risk, given your improvement and the lack of other visible sores in the oral area.  

Terri

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Good.

Terri

[tweety76732]

Thank you very much. it helps my peace of mind to have an expert's opinion