Resolved question:
Hi, I need a second opinion on the following
About a month ago I had contact with someone who I believe had herpes. After contact, I started feeling a tingling sensation on my lips however I never had an outbreak. Other symptoms include having a fever for one night few days after contact along with night sweats. It has been a full month and the tingling has diminished, very slight tingle still remains although no outbreak. I do have tiny little bumps which are not visible although I can feel them at the top right corner of my lip. I've been using cold sore lip medication along with lip balm so not sure if this prevented the outbreaks. Altogether I would like to know if I am contagious at this point? whether I can have physical contact?
Thank you..
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Sexually Transmitted Diseases(STD)Specialist
Thanks for the query at DoctorSpring.
From the history provided and the description of the lesions it does not look like you have any active herpetic erosions.
Your condition from the description does not sound like it is contagious.
You can have a physical contact if you do not have any open bleeding blisters or erosions.
You can get the herpes IgG and IgM antibodies done. This can prove whether you have a recent or chronic infection.
Thanks and take car
Hi, thanks for responding. I'm sorry for not getting back earlier but this site takes sooo long to load that it becomes frustrating and I give up.
It has almost been a month since your last reply. During this period, I have had tingling in the lips but no outbreak. Tingling has been ongoing for 2 months now, sometimes mild, sometimes heavy. I use some balm to reduce the effects but this is just a temporary aid. Can you let me know why this tingling persists? Also, when do you recommend I get tested given the initial exposure to this person was 2 months ago. Also what tests should I get done?
Thank you for your time. It is much appreciated.
Hello,
Thanks for your reply. I can understand your concern.
Tingling may not be due to herpes. It may be due to some other cause like vitamin B12 deficiency , which can cause tingling of the lips.
I would recommend that you get a blood test done for vitamin B 12 levels. If the levels ate low you could start with vitamin B12 supplements which would relieve the tingling.
But to be on the safer side you could get tests for HSV 1 & 2 antibodies. That would indicate if you have had a recent infection with herpes or not. However, herpes may cause tingling of the lips for a short period of a week usually but not for so long.
Take care.