How likely?

[justwondering953]

About two months ago I had a severe sore throat and swollen gums.  I had a fever and was incredibly sick for about a week.  My doctor tested me and said that I had HSV-1.  She told me that she had seen it before and that because all of my sores were inside my mouth, it would likely go away and never return.  I have never had any sores outside of my mouth in the typical "herpes" fashion.  She said that because of my initial outbreak, I would most likely not have it outside of my mouth or in my genital area ever again.

Despite what she said, I am HIGHLY paranoid that I will end up transmitting this genitally to my partner someday.  Two weeks ago I had what felt like a cut high up in my mouth on my outer gums - not near my teeth, more where the very top of my gums ends.  I gave my boyfriend unprotected oral about a week later when the cut was going away.  The next day, I took a look at the "cut" and it looked more like a bump!!!  Could this have been herpes?  All my life I have had tiny bumps inside my mouth - like mini canker sores.  I have never been worried about this before, but since my doctor said that I had HSV-1 two months ago I have been freaking out that this could be what they are!

Could he get HSV-1 genitally from this?  Does that bump sound like herpes to you?  It was definitely almost healed, no matter what it was.  Should I believe my doctor?  I have been googling this like mad and it sounds like she could have been wrong.  Have you ever heard of herpes only occurring inside the mouth?  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

With a positve culture there is no doubt thathtis was HSV-1.  First episoes tend to be more severe than recurrences.  There is risk of spreading infection to others.  To their lips through kissing or to their genitals through oral sex, unless they already have HSV-1.  If they already have it, as does about 60% of the population, they will not get it again in another spot.  The most important thing to do is to avoid contact if a lesion is present and disclose to partners that you have "cold sores".  EWH

[justwondering953]

It was a culture and it tested positive for HSV-1.  I was more concerned about spreading it to others, I know it would be extremely rare to spread it to myself.  It's hard because since that episode, I'm not sure if bumps that I wouldn't have thought anything of before are HSV now?  

Not sure what to do, just want to make sure I don't spread it to anyone else.  From that outbreak two months ago, do you think I would have recurrent episodes?  It just doesn't sound like the normal oral that I have heard about before.  

Thanks so much.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Isn't it interesting how, having had someone suggest that the bumps and canker sores you have had in your mouth all your life, they suddenly become more of a problem.  I will make some comments but the bottom line is that it is difficult to determine whether or not your episode 2 months ago was HSV unless you were cultured. furthermore, if the test your doctor did was a blood test, changes are pretty good that  the sore throat was not a first episode of HSV but that your blood test showed HSV that you had had for long time.

So, first a question.  How did your doctor diagnoseHSV-1?, blood test or culture. This is very important.

Several other comments.
1.  If you have HSV-1 at the mouth, you will not spread it to your genitals although you could spread it to others through oral sex. the risk for spreading it through oral sex however is not very high.
2.  It is difficult to say what the bumps in your mouth are. they do not sound very much like HSV

Once I hear from your about my question we can continue to discuss where things stand. EWH