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HSV-2 in the Throat?
Hey Doctors,
Dr. Hook answered a previous question for me. It involves the same partner but not really relevant to this follow-up. Here is the link: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Inflamed-Fordyce-Spot-or-HSV-2/show/1513802
Gave oral sex to a girl for about 2 minutes. Involved only light points of contact with my tongue and her clitoris. Discussed STDs in advance and she claims to not have HSV-2. But, also admitted to no HSV testing.
Took 1 gram of Valtrex prophylactically within 20 minutes of exposure. Previously tested HSV-1 positive and HSV-2 negative. History of cold sores as a child.
15 days after the encounter developed a nagging cough. Some colleagues have been experiencing the same cough. The cough only occurs in the morning and goes away for a few days and then comes back. No sore throat but a bit of a tickle. No fever. No swollen glands. No other flu-like symptoms. No perceptible lesions on or around the mouth. However, I did notice a white spot on my tonsil tonight (33 days after exposure). Not sure how long the spot has been there.
1. Is oral HSV-2 a concern here?
2. In your practice, have you seen oral HSV-2 present with my set of symptoms?
3. At Day 33, would a herpetic lesion expect to look different than a single white spot?
4. Would lesions expect to occur at the main site of friction? I really only used the tip of my tongue.
5. For someone with oral HSV-1, exactly how risky is cunnilingus? Receiving oral sex?
6. I don't want to be needlessly tested but I also don't want to end up testing with a committed partner and run into an HSV-2 red herring. Test or forget it?
Amazing site you guys run here. As Dr. Hook mentioned, information on the internet is of varying quality and quickly left me confused. This site is far and away the best I have found. Amazingness aside, some celibacy makes some sense right now and I have no plans to be back for STD issues.
All the best.
Dr. Hook answered a previous question for me. It involves the same partner but not really relevant to this follow-up. Here is the link: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Inflamed-Fordyce-Spot-or-HSV-2/show/1513802
Gave oral sex to a girl for about 2 minutes. Involved only light points of contact with my tongue and her clitoris. Discussed STDs in advance and she claims to not have HSV-2. But, also admitted to no HSV testing.
Took 1 gram of Valtrex prophylactically within 20 minutes of exposure. Previously tested HSV-1 positive and HSV-2 negative. History of cold sores as a child.
15 days after the encounter developed a nagging cough. Some colleagues have been experiencing the same cough. The cough only occurs in the morning and goes away for a few days and then comes back. No sore throat but a bit of a tickle. No fever. No swollen glands. No other flu-like symptoms. No perceptible lesions on or around the mouth. However, I did notice a white spot on my tonsil tonight (33 days after exposure). Not sure how long the spot has been there.
1. Is oral HSV-2 a concern here?
2. In your practice, have you seen oral HSV-2 present with my set of symptoms?
3. At Day 33, would a herpetic lesion expect to look different than a single white spot?
4. Would lesions expect to occur at the main site of friction? I really only used the tip of my tongue.
5. For someone with oral HSV-1, exactly how risky is cunnilingus? Receiving oral sex?
6. I don't want to be needlessly tested but I also don't want to end up testing with a committed partner and run into an HSV-2 red herring. Test or forget it?
Amazing site you guys run here. As Dr. Hook mentioned, information on the internet is of varying quality and quickly left me confused. This site is far and away the best I have found. Amazingness aside, some celibacy makes some sense right now and I have no plans to be back for STD issues.
All the best.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for the reassurance about informing your partner. Having had oral herpes, she is immune to a new HSV-1 infection.
The clarification points don't change my opinion or advice. You should completely drop any and all concern about HSV-2 from these event. End of story, and that will end this thread. Take care.
The clarification points don't change my opinion or advice. You should completely drop any and all concern about HSV-2 from these event. End of story, and that will end this thread. Take care.
Hey Dr. Handsfield,
Thanks for your quick response!
I disclosed to my partner that I had oral HSV-1. She also had cold sores as a child. I knew enough to think that made us both quite safe with regard to HSV-1 (although, before my HSV testing I never knew to disclose before).
A couple quick points of clarification:
1. The white spot is actually on my uvula. I had spent my whole life thinking that is my tonsil! It is more grey than white and not overly prominent. I also don't have much of a sore throat, if any. Any change in your assessment?
2. As to question 5, I was referring more to the risk of oral HSV-2 from performing cunnilingus and genital HSV-2 from receiving oral sex? But, after reading your answer, it is apparently rare.
Thanks again. All the best.
Thanks for your quick response!
I disclosed to my partner that I had oral HSV-1. She also had cold sores as a child. I knew enough to think that made us both quite safe with regard to HSV-1 (although, before my HSV testing I never knew to disclose before).
A couple quick points of clarification:
1. The white spot is actually on my uvula. I had spent my whole life thinking that is my tonsil! It is more grey than white and not overly prominent. I also don't have much of a sore throat, if any. Any change in your assessment?
2. As to question 5, I was referring more to the risk of oral HSV-2 from performing cunnilingus and genital HSV-2 from receiving oral sex? But, after reading your answer, it is apparently rare.
Thanks again. All the best.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Another comment on question 5: You told your partner about your oral herpes, right? Her risk of genital herpes from you was far higher than the chance you could have caught oral HSV-2 from her.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back. Thanks for the thanks about the forum.
As Dr. Hook told you, oral HSV-2 infections are uncommon. When they occur, usually it is in the presence of simultaneous genital infection. It is exceedingly uncommon for herpes to cause sore throat, without other obvious evidence of a new HSV infection: the sore throat would be very severe; usually there would be multiple open sores in the mouth and often on the lips, with lots of pain; usually fever; and there would be no cough. The symptoms would start within a few days of exposure and would clear up within 3 weeks. White spots are common on the tonsils and do not indicate HSV. To your questions:
1) No, herpes is not a conern.
2) No, I have never seen this.
3) Usually multiple lesions; see above.
4) Lesions could occur anywhere in the mouth or throat.
5) People with oral HSV-1 are not at increased risk for any STD or any other known infection.
6) There is no need for HSV-2 testing, either for your genital or throat symptoms.
You are obviously over-worried about herpes. Please try to accept the evidence and the reasoned reassurance you have had and move on.
Regards-- HHH, MD
As Dr. Hook told you, oral HSV-2 infections are uncommon. When they occur, usually it is in the presence of simultaneous genital infection. It is exceedingly uncommon for herpes to cause sore throat, without other obvious evidence of a new HSV infection: the sore throat would be very severe; usually there would be multiple open sores in the mouth and often on the lips, with lots of pain; usually fever; and there would be no cough. The symptoms would start within a few days of exposure and would clear up within 3 weeks. White spots are common on the tonsils and do not indicate HSV. To your questions:
1) No, herpes is not a conern.
2) No, I have never seen this.
3) Usually multiple lesions; see above.
4) Lesions could occur anywhere in the mouth or throat.
5) People with oral HSV-1 are not at increased risk for any STD or any other known infection.
6) There is no need for HSV-2 testing, either for your genital or throat symptoms.
You are obviously over-worried about herpes. Please try to accept the evidence and the reasoned reassurance you have had and move on.
Regards-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs 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.
