dazed and confused

[brokedown]

2 weeks ago i came in contact with somebody that has hsv2 genitally,negative on the hsv1.there was exchange of saliva and i thought nothing of it since i thought it wasnt possible to contract hsv2 orally.a few days later a small white mark came up in my mouth that was barely distinguishable ,on the movable soft part, two weeks later i had a white roundish shaped sore with the red surrounding.a few days later it has now broken open.what i was hoping was a canker sore might not be.i am convinced that what i have now is primary herpetic stomatitis and theres no way to diffirentiate between the two.

"it is conceivable that you acquired oral and genital HSV-2 simultaneously, especially if you had both genital and oral sex with the person from whom you caught it--and the ORAL infection could be asymptomatic."

after thinking this over and over,i think this is what took place.i can only hope that im overeacting but im not sure if the chances are on my side.what can i do next?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The lesion you describe doesn't sound much like herpes of any kind.  If you didn't get genital symptoms that suggest herpes, there is no particular reason to believe you were infected simultaneously in the mouth and genital area.  (Was there also genital sex?  If only "exchange of saliva", there is no risk at all of HSV-2 and only a trivial risk of HSV-1.

If you are not sufficiently reassured by all this, then wait until 4 weeks have passed since the sexual exposure, then see a provider for an HSV-2 blood test.  See numerous messages and replies on this forum about the specific tests to request.  But in the meantime, don't lose a lot of sleep over this.

I don't think you have HSV-2.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[brokedown]

Let me make things a bit clearer since i think you might have misunderstood -

Im afraid the person i came in contact with might be infected both genitally (with outbreaks) and orally (without outbreaks and doesnt know) with HSV2.The lession started off with a oval white spot with redish borders, and has now broken open.there was no sex, but the problem is that im afraid the person might have HSV2 orally with no symptoms at all and genitally with symptoms as i was told.i made an appointment to see the doctor to get a culture done on the sore, is there any specific test i should ask for?

also i would like to point out,

after contact with her, 5 days later she had an outbreak genitally.
after contact with her, 4 days later i had a small nearly undectable but still there white spot in my mouth(soft/movable part), 2 weeks after that i have this sore in my mouth.
what else could it be,coincidental canker sore?


i've already lost sleep over this but thanks for the kind words.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Almost nobody with chronic, recurrent genital HSV-2 also has oral HSV-2; it just doesn't happen.  Therefore, there is no reason to suspect your partner has oral HSV-2 just because she has genital herpes.

Yes, a coincidental canker sore is a much better bet than herpes.  I base this both on these facts and your description of your oral lesion, which doesn't sound like herpes.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[brokedown]

Thanks for the quick replies.

The reason im afraid of "Primary herpetic stomatitis" is because i THINK what i read resembles my condition and this is my first encounter with anyone that has HSV.

"Herpetic stomatitis is a contagious viral illness caused by Herpes virus hominis (also herpes simplex virus, HSV) and is seen mainly in young children. This condition probably represents their first exposure to herpes virus and can result in a systemic illness characterized by high fever (often as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit), blisters, ulcers in the mouth, and inflammation of the gums.
The inside of the cheeks and tongue frequently develop ulcers 1-5 mm in diameter with a grayish-white base and a reddish perimeter. These ulcers are very painful and cause drooling, difficulty swallowing, and decrease in food intake (although the patient may be hungry)."

Ive had very little pain resembling canker sores but i also know now that i can get HSV with little to no symptoms and the two can be simlair.I might be jumping to conclusions but the quote sounds familiar.Plus i remember reading on this site a doctor (could be you) replying to somebody saying that the first infection could be anywhere on the inside of the mouth, places where herpes doesnt usually occur.Am i worried for nothing?

[brokedown]

Also, what does a herpes infection look like in the mouth,on the area i mentioned, if not what im describing?
And if its not hsv or canker sore is there anything else it may be?

thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Re-read the quote you cite.  Primary herpetic stomatitis is a much more painful and severe condition than you have; the decrease in food intake is because pain prevents putting food in the mouth and swallowing.  Multiple (5, 10, or 20+) lesions are common, plus fever, swollen glands etc.

You also seem to have ignored my comments about why your partner doesn't have oral HSV-2.

I can't say for certain what you have without examining you.  A canker sore is by far the best bet.  It isn't herpes.  Yes, you probably are worried for nothing.  But as I said in my first response, if you want further reassurance, get a herpes blood test a couple of weeks from now.

HHH, MD