Hello,

Thank you for asking your query at DoctorSpring.

There is a small risk that you might have contracted a cold sore or Herpes Labialis (caused mostly by HSV 1). The lesion in the her lips can be a cold sore. However I would say this is more of a textbook possibility. Practically (considering all the factors) you risk is low. I assume you only had safe sex. In that case no tests are needed for now. There is now reason to worry !

Hope this helps
Please feel free to ask followup questions
Thank you

Hello,

1. Blisters are indeed contagious, but what I said is the probability that you will develop and manifest a cold sore is very low. There are many factors involved. Upto 40% of adults have HSV already in their body,without any manifestations. So there is a chance that you already have HSV in your body. Even in couples living together and having sex, it might take months for the infection to be transmitted. (Read single contact might not transfer the disease). And finally more than 1/3 of people who get HSV infection never will manifest any symptoms. So putting all together your risk is very low (that too if what she is having is a blister).

2. HSV2/HIV/HPV - very low. ( Any infection that can be transmitted via contact can occur if you approach like that, but that's not the point. This is simply risk analysis)

3. Tests not easily available (since you do not have any lesion like warts)(available mostly in research settings only)

4. Yes HPV vaccines are available, but recommended only for individuals less than 26 years of age. This would not benefit you.

Hope this helps
Thank you

Hello,

As I mentioned earlier, it is possible to catch the HSV 1 (herpes labialis) from kissing someone with a cold sore on their lips. However, a one time contact poses a lower risk, as it can take up to a year of contact between couples to transmit the virus from one infected person to the other uninfected person (and that to only 10% actually catch the virus). You have mentioned that you have recently been tested for STD's including the HSV1/HSV2 viruses and they came back negative. Furthermore, if you did catch the virus for the first time, you would have an outbreak of a cold sore on your lips within 1-4 days. These are both supporting the fact that you do not have the virus in your body.

To be absolutely certain ( in the case that you have the virus but have not developed cold sores, or antibodies in your bloodstream), wait for 2 weeks and then re-do your blood tests for HSV 1. This is just in case you do develop antibodies in the next few weeks (sometimes it takes that long), and you can finally detect them in the blood if present. If present, they will persist for life in the bloodstream.

If the results are negative 2 weeks from now, you can rest assured and sleep well knowing that you do not have the HSV 1 infection.

Take care, and thank you for asking your queries and Doctor Spring.

Glad to be of help.