Question:
I posted this on healthboards.com but no one is giving me any feedback. I'm new here and hopefully ya'll can help me:-

just found out i have herpes type 1. I have a sore on my lip. I'm REAL confused as to how i got it because i have never kissed anyone with a visible sore, nor have i gone down on anyone with a sore. I have been using zovirax and its helping a little bit. Is there anything else i can use? before i knew what it was i had kissed my baby brother on his neck a few days ago so now im worried i gave it to him. I have a few questions though. Could i have gotten it from sharing lipstick or a straw? Also, how often will i see outbreaks and is it safe to go down on my bf when i dont have a sore? Can i kiss my bf after my sore is gone? Before i knew what it was i touched it with my finger, will i be getting sores on my fingertip now? This is really stressing me out and im trying to find a way to cope with it and i just keep reminding myself that it could be worse. It sucks cuz everyone keeps asking what i got on my lip and its really bringin me down. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:
oral herpes can be spread with or WITHOUT a coldsore present.......so kissing and giving oral to your boyfriend, even without a coldsore present now presents a risk to him of getting it orally/ and or genitally. It sucks but its the reality. You say you never kissed a guy with a coldsore or went down on someone with any symptoms, which right there gives you the example that it is real and a risk and it can and does happen to millions of people who are either in denial a cold sore is herpes, or think when they dont have symptoms present that they cannot spread it.....but they can and do. Thats why hsv1 is so prevalant orally in people and in the last 15 years more so genital hsv1 is rising like crazy. people dont want to admit or realize their "coldsores" are in fact herpes and can spread it with or without aything visibly there.......same goes for genital herpes. So inform your boyfriend, but first have him get a blood test for both types, as he may have it already and or could even have transmitted it to you. Also, not all people who have herpes show symptoms or any coldsores ever so they spread it when they are not even aware of it. Hope this helps a bit.

Answer:
Thank you for your response....i am getting tested for the other type on monday and my bf is getting tested for both types sometime next week. This really sucks. i've only had sex with him, no one else and i thought i always played it safe. The whole std screening system sucks because they dont test you or encourage you to get tested for herpes unless you have a sore visible.

My sore is going on its THIRTEENTH day and still is there, does it take this long? I have been putting viorax ointment on it and it seems to be doing nothing and the dam thing costed 140. My sore keeps bleeding too. They say that you normally get a sore 2-26 days after being exposed...is this true??

Answer:
ooops i meant i've been puting zovirax ointment