Question:
HELLO, I JUST SIGNED UP AND LOGGED ON BECAUSE I AM EXPERIENCING A REAL BAD COLD SORE ATTACK AS WE SPEAK. I HAVE BEEN CURSED WITH THEM FOR 20 YRS NOW AND THIS BY FAR IS THE WORST. I HAVE NOT ONE, NOT TWO BUT THREE HUGE SORES ALL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY LIP. ONE ON THE BOTTOM AND TWO UNDER MY TOP LIP (NOT VISIBLE BUT MY LIPS ARE VERY SWOLLEN AND RED). YES I AM UPSET THAT I AM IN SO MUCH PAIN AND NOT TO MENTION EMBARRASSED, HOWEVER I AM MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT CAUSED SUCH A BAD ATTACK.??? I HAVE THOUGHT THROUGH ALL THE USUAL SUSPECTS; WHAT I ATE, WAS I IN THE SUN, SLEEP ETC... NOTHING FITS!
MY MESSAGE TO THE FORUM IS THIS: CAN AN ALLERGY ATTACK FROM WORKING IN THE YARD CAUSE COLD SORES? THE NIGHT BEFORE I WOKE UP WITH THE FIRST ONE (THE SECOND CAME THE NEXT DAY AND THE THIRD CAME 2 DAYS AFTER) I TRIMMED BUSHES IN MY YARD AND NOTICED MY EYES WERE ITCHY AND I WAS SNEEZING. MY EYES ARE STILL A LITTLE ITCHY AND RED AND HAVE NOT BEEN IN THE YARD WORKING SINCE IT'S RAINING HERE IN MICHIGAN.
VALTREX HAS DONE NOTHING AT ALL AND I AM JUST SO CONFUSED AND LIKE I METIONED IN PAIN. TODAY IS MY ONE YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY AND BECAUSE OF THESE SORES CAN NOT EVEN KISS MY WIFE. BUT LIKE I SAID - I AM JUST CONFUSED! DOES A DOCTOR EVER VISIT THE FORUM?
THANKS EVERYONE AND TAKE CARE. SORRY YOU ALL DEAL WITH THESE TOO.

Answer:
wWell I have just had this for about 4 months now. So I am not sure what triggers them. As I had my initial outbreak and then one more the following month. Since then nothing. However since summer has been coming, my allergies have been terrible. And even before I contracted H, when I got severe allergy attacks I was much more susceptible to getting sick. Now I have gotten sick every three to four weeks. Not usual for me at all. I hardly ever get sick. No outbreaks but colds and flu like sickness. So I think it could be that your allergies made your immune system weak... That is how you got the attack.

If you have time can you reply to me on how you got the H and how often your outbreaks are. I am desperately trying to meet others with H1 (cold sores). I want to see how they deal with it.

Answer:
I CONTRACTED MY COLD SORES (FUNNY YOU CALL IT "H" THAT'S THE CODE MY WIFE AND USE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT IT) FROM A HIGH SCHOOL GIRL FRIEND 20 YRS AGO. SHE HAD ONE, SHE KISSED ME AND I NOW HAVE THE GIFT THAT KEEPS GIVING. THEY ARE VERY VERY VERY CONTAGIOUS. I AM EXTREMELY CAREFUL AROUND OTHERS LIKE MY FAMILY. ALL IT TAKES IS AN INNOCENT KISS, THE USE OF A TOWEL, LIP BALM ETC... I WOULD FEEL JUST HORRIBLE. ORAL SEX IS VERY DANGEROUS TOO. SO JUST BE CAREFUL. I ACTUALLY KNOW ALLOT ABOUT -H- BUT WAS REAL CONFUSED BY THE MASSIVE ATTACK I GOT, HENCE MY MESSAGE ON THE FORUM. IT'S INTERESTING YOU MENTIONED ALLERGIES; THANKS. GOOD LUCK AND TAKE CARE. ALLOT OF PEOPLE HAVE H, SOME KNOW IT SOME DON'T. IT'S A TERRIBLE VIRUS.

wWell I have just had this for about 4 months now. So I am not sure what triggers them. As I had my initial outbreak and then one more the following month. Since then nothing. However since summer has been coming, my allergies have been terrible. And even before I contracted H, when I got severe allergy attacks I was much more susceptible to getting sick. Now I have gotten sick every three to four weeks. Not usual for me at all. I hardly ever get sick. No outbreaks but colds and flu like sickness. So I think it could be that your allergies made your immune system weak... That is how you got the attack.

If you have time can you reply to me on how you got the H and how often your outbreaks are. I am desperately trying to meet others with H1 (cold sores). I want to see how they deal with it.

Answer:
I hope you don't mind. I would like to ask you some more questions... Does your wife have it? I myself make sure I do more of a hug than kiss when I see family. We are a kissing family so it is hard. I try to do the cheek thing.. You know... Well I asked if you wife had it b/c I am trying to figure out how to kiss my b/f without giving it to him. I have nto had anymore outbreaks. I constantly look at my mouth to check. But inside your mouth- it is like anything looks like it is just budding. I am so paranoid about it. Do you think that maybe you shed when you feel the tingling sensation on your face?