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HSV1 Inside Mouth
Hi. Looking forward to your response as I am trying to figure out if I have oral HSV1 (still waiting blood tests).
Day 1 - Upper and bottom lips sore and swollen after heavily kissing for half hour with man with beard (HSV1 positive). Swelling occurred 15 minutes after kissing.
Day 2 - 3 tiny pimples inside bottom lip - went to dr said he didn't know (no swab) Valtrex 1 days worth and antihistamine
Day 3 - swelling completely gone (very minor soreness like 1/10) have eczema on chin and upper lip with scabs that looked like carpet burn from beard I am assuming (no sores looks like abrasion) applied polysporin disappeared within 2 days
Day 5 - went to dr. saw no symptoms of anything looked completely fine but had sore throat and got sick after (no fever, etc. - my friend was sick too)
Day 5 - had oral sex (received and performed) - ugh exposure genitally too
Questions:
1. Could I have had my primary exposure of HSV1
2. Subsequent to this event, for the next 2 months on and off face tingling, sore lips, sore tongue (tip), sore roof of mouth. On and off symptoms with no sores on outer lip. Nothing inside I could feel.
3. Recently, my cheek inside felt bumpy all on left side then my tongue had taste buds slightly raised. Craters on side of tongue. Slight white appearance to tongue. Nothing was really red...same colour of tongue. Drs looked within 24 hours (didn't swab for HSV, swabbed for bacteria neg.), Tongue was sore. Took Valtrex, seemed to be getting better then flared up again after day 5 on meds. Hasn't gone away It's been 16 days! a little better...Does herpes on the tongue look like?How do you distinguish from geographic tongue or plain stomatis?
4. If I do have HSV1 with on and off tingling on face, nose, tongue, lips sore on and off, eyes, numbness and burning for 2 months with various degrees of intensity, how do I know when I can perform oral sex on my partner? I am unsure of his HSV status?
Day 1 - Upper and bottom lips sore and swollen after heavily kissing for half hour with man with beard (HSV1 positive). Swelling occurred 15 minutes after kissing.
Day 2 - 3 tiny pimples inside bottom lip - went to dr said he didn't know (no swab) Valtrex 1 days worth and antihistamine
Day 3 - swelling completely gone (very minor soreness like 1/10) have eczema on chin and upper lip with scabs that looked like carpet burn from beard I am assuming (no sores looks like abrasion) applied polysporin disappeared within 2 days
Day 5 - went to dr. saw no symptoms of anything looked completely fine but had sore throat and got sick after (no fever, etc. - my friend was sick too)
Day 5 - had oral sex (received and performed) - ugh exposure genitally too
Questions:
1. Could I have had my primary exposure of HSV1
2. Subsequent to this event, for the next 2 months on and off face tingling, sore lips, sore tongue (tip), sore roof of mouth. On and off symptoms with no sores on outer lip. Nothing inside I could feel.
3. Recently, my cheek inside felt bumpy all on left side then my tongue had taste buds slightly raised. Craters on side of tongue. Slight white appearance to tongue. Nothing was really red...same colour of tongue. Drs looked within 24 hours (didn't swab for HSV, swabbed for bacteria neg.), Tongue was sore. Took Valtrex, seemed to be getting better then flared up again after day 5 on meds. Hasn't gone away It's been 16 days! a little better...Does herpes on the tongue look like?How do you distinguish from geographic tongue or plain stomatis?
4. If I do have HSV1 with on and off tingling on face, nose, tongue, lips sore on and off, eyes, numbness and burning for 2 months with various degrees of intensity, how do I know when I can perform oral sex on my partner? I am unsure of his HSV status?
Thank you for your advice. I will try....my symptoms for the most part have subsided and I am feeling better genitally.
Seeing an oral surgeon tomorrow re my mouth.
I will not do a blood re-test.
Seeing an oral surgeon tomorrow re my mouth.
I will not do a blood re-test.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
As expected. That will end this thread. Time for you to move on without concerns about herpes.
Blood tests negative at 10 weeks post exposure.
Thank u for your wise advice. The fear of passing it to someone makes me irrational I suppose. Will post upon blood results.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
1) I agree with your doctor. In the absence of blisters and sores, these symptoms are not consistent with genital herpes. As discussed above, the duration and pattern of symptoms (2+ months, with symptoms on and off but mostly on) also exclude herpes as the cause.
2) No, that test by itself is not sufficient to exclude herpes. It's the overall pattern and the totality of all the information provided -- including but not limited to that test result -- that argue against herpes.
I have said nothing about alternative explanations for your symptoms, whether emotionally based or something else. I'm not going to speculate about it. However, I will comment on your laser-like focus on herpes. You seem convinced you have it, despite repeated, reasoned, science-based reassurance from Terri, your own doctor(s), and perhaps others -- and now from me as well. You should be looking on our advice as good news, accept our collective reassurance at face value, and go forward working with your doctors to figure out the true cause of your symptoms.
As for sexual activity, of course hold off if your symptoms would make it painful or uncomfortable. However, from the standpoint of transmitting HSV (or anything else) to your partner, abstention definitely isn't necessary and you shouldn't be holding back on any sexual activity that would give pleasure to you and your partner.
If and when you have an HSV blood test, feel free to return to report the result. Until then, however, I will have no further comments or advice.
2) No, that test by itself is not sufficient to exclude herpes. It's the overall pattern and the totality of all the information provided -- including but not limited to that test result -- that argue against herpes.
I have said nothing about alternative explanations for your symptoms, whether emotionally based or something else. I'm not going to speculate about it. However, I will comment on your laser-like focus on herpes. You seem convinced you have it, despite repeated, reasoned, science-based reassurance from Terri, your own doctor(s), and perhaps others -- and now from me as well. You should be looking on our advice as good news, accept our collective reassurance at face value, and go forward working with your doctors to figure out the true cause of your symptoms.
As for sexual activity, of course hold off if your symptoms would make it painful or uncomfortable. However, from the standpoint of transmitting HSV (or anything else) to your partner, abstention definitely isn't necessary and you shouldn't be holding back on any sexual activity that would give pleasure to you and your partner.
If and when you have an HSV blood test, feel free to return to report the result. Until then, however, I will have no further comments or advice.
Thank you for your prompt response. Alot of weird things are happening to my oral and genital area in the last 2.5 months and I am attempting to self diagnose which I know is a big mistake. I appreciate yours and Terri's advice. And I don't mean to be disrespectful at all and I know I am anxious and I apologize if in any way I have offended or irritated anyone. Its frustrating when all these symptoms are happening and no other diagnosis is given except stress. Kind of like the chicken and the egg...is stress causing the symptoms or are the symptoms causing stress? Process of elimination is exhausting. I am still awaiting blood tests so I will post when I have. Until I get blood results, I will refrain from oral and genital sex to be safe as I am unsure of the origination of the potential infection. I have stopped Valtrex as it doesn't seem to help my oral issues and my genital ones are all over the place so hard to tell.
1. Apologies, how likely is it to have such severe symptoms (leg pain down to toes (usually lasts a day - always better after sleep), abdominal pain (brief), change in vaginal discharge (brief), vulvodynia like symptoms which range in intensity and duration) anal burning, without any sores? Drs said if I had such severe pain, I would most definitely have sores.
2. Is it a sufficient test to swab vaginal discharge for HSV as there were no sores but experienced abdominal pain (not PCR,but viral culture)
Thank you for your patience. I will not post til I get blood results from 10 weeks subsequent to exposure. I should be receiving results next week although I believe it is a non specific type test IGM and IGG.
Thank you again!
1. Apologies, how likely is it to have such severe symptoms (leg pain down to toes (usually lasts a day - always better after sleep), abdominal pain (brief), change in vaginal discharge (brief), vulvodynia like symptoms which range in intensity and duration) anal burning, without any sores? Drs said if I had such severe pain, I would most definitely have sores.
2. Is it a sufficient test to swab vaginal discharge for HSV as there were no sores but experienced abdominal pain (not PCR,but viral culture)
Thank you for your patience. I will not post til I get blood results from 10 weeks subsequent to exposure. I should be receiving results next week although I believe it is a non specific type test IGM and IGG.
Thank you again!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Noted before responding above.
And I forgot to say that you should immediately stop the valacyclovir if you're still taking it. As Terri told you, the more you take the more you'll make it difficult to interpret your HSV blood test.
And I forgot to say that you should immediately stop the valacyclovir if you're still taking it. As Terri told you, the more you take the more you'll make it difficult to interpret your HSV blood test.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. I scanned your discusisons with Terri on the herpes forum. As you'll see, we virtually never disagree in our opinions and advice about HSV infections. And I agree with all she said in both those threads.
1) Could you have had primary oral herpes? Probalby yes. But based on the information provided, the chance is extremely small. Not only are the symptoms wrong in almost every detail, but your doctor's opinion based on direct examination should be respected and believed.
2,3) Neither your earlier symptoms nor your current ones are typical for herpes. HSV outbreaks never cause on and off symptoms for 2 months; the symptoms themselves aren't right; and the 16 day duration of your most recent symptoms also is incompatible with herpes. The initial improvement on valacyclovir probably was coincidental, and the relapse while taking it also is very strong evidence against HSV. What "Does herpes on the tongue look like?" Usually nothing; HSV doesn't generally involve the tongue. When it does, generally there are obviously visible ulcers that look a lot like canker sores.
4) This probably is irrelevant, since it is unlikely you have oral herpes. I suggest waiting until sufficient time has passed for an accurate blood test (3 months). I anticipate it will be negative. But be forewarned: even if your blood test should be positive, your story is so atypical that my conclusion probably would be that you have an asymptomatic HSV-1 infection plus one or more other causes for your oral symptoms.
My only other advice is that you consider seeing a specialist about your oral symptoms. Start with your dentist. If s/he can't give clear answers, ask for referral to an oral medicine specialist. (Oral medicine is a branch of dentistry -- such specialists can be found in association with most if not all dental schools.)
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
1) Could you have had primary oral herpes? Probalby yes. But based on the information provided, the chance is extremely small. Not only are the symptoms wrong in almost every detail, but your doctor's opinion based on direct examination should be respected and believed.
2,3) Neither your earlier symptoms nor your current ones are typical for herpes. HSV outbreaks never cause on and off symptoms for 2 months; the symptoms themselves aren't right; and the 16 day duration of your most recent symptoms also is incompatible with herpes. The initial improvement on valacyclovir probably was coincidental, and the relapse while taking it also is very strong evidence against HSV. What "Does herpes on the tongue look like?" Usually nothing; HSV doesn't generally involve the tongue. When it does, generally there are obviously visible ulcers that look a lot like canker sores.
4) This probably is irrelevant, since it is unlikely you have oral herpes. I suggest waiting until sufficient time has passed for an accurate blood test (3 months). I anticipate it will be negative. But be forewarned: even if your blood test should be positive, your story is so atypical that my conclusion probably would be that you have an asymptomatic HSV-1 infection plus one or more other causes for your oral symptoms.
My only other advice is that you consider seeing a specialist about your oral symptoms. Start with your dentist. If s/he can't give clear answers, ask for referral to an oral medicine specialist. (Oral medicine is a branch of dentistry -- such specialists can be found in association with most if not all dental schools.)
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Forgot to say, STD dr saw tongue within 24 hours (said not herpes), swab done after 6 days of tongue appearance (5 days on Valtrex), swab negative for HSV.
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.
