Hi,

I was recently with someone, and the next day she had a sore on her chin and went to the doctor to ask about it. I presumed that it was from my facial hair rubbing roughly against her chin, it is pretty much like sandpaper, and made a pretty bad sore for her. She was concerned and went to the doctor, and without any kind of testing or more investigation than observing, they told her it was herpes. I'm assuming the doctor came to this conclusion because she said it had some liquid coming out of it. I've done a lot of research on herpes symptoms and such since this occurred, just a few days ago, and now I'm concerned that I have it and gave it to her. I think if she does have it that would be the only possible way. I have been examining myself a lot, very worried about it, but I don't recognize any symptoms, or signs of outbreaks, and i don't recognize anything from pictures I've seen online. I have some red bumps around my groin, but nothing like blisters or lesions, and I assumed I had those from working outside most days, being sweaty and dirty and having pimples or small infected hairs. What should I do about this? My partner has a prescription of Valtrex and seems like she is going to take it all and leave it unless it comes back to bother her again.

Should I get tested? Maybe see a doctor? Would a doctor so casually diagnose someone with herpes without any blood or swab testing? I'm very worried about it, and I don't know how to go about it. She has no other blisters or lesions on her face or genitals, just the one on her chin, and I have nothing on my face, and nothing I would assume would resemble herpes, or an outbreak (i'm guessing it would have been a primary one if I had had an outbreak?) on my groin, like i said only some small red, separate bumps, that don't seem like blisters, or that ooze, or that have scabbed over and gone away. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

For your ease of mind and hers I would recommend going to get tested and ask for a blood test. Many people don't have the severe OBs that pictures on the Internet depict. Many people have mild symptoms (like the ones you mentioned) that don't bother them and that go unrecognized and thus undiagnosed for years or never. I find more men have milder symptoms than do women possibly because of our fluctuant hormone cycles. Women tend to have OBs during their periods. Did your partner perform oral sex on you? That is a common way of transferring genital herpes to oral herpes on the face.

I agree, the doctor should have swabbed her skin and done a blood test. It's important to tell your doctor what you want and push them until you are satisfied. For example, for people with cancer it's important to get diagnosed as quickly as possible, but so often doctors do not run the necessary tests to get true diagnoses quickly enough and the disease has time to spread. You must be proactive in your own health and demand that tests be done.

We cannot diagnose you online, and we often advise people to get tested, it's the only way to truly know for sure. Herpes is not routinely tested for in STD testing or military enrollment or marriage or pregnancy. Its seems to be a pricey test so doctors don't like to perform it regularly. Also, there's no cure and if you're not suffering from symptoms then you're not likely to choose to take daily anti-viral medications. Only those with severe symptoms even ask to be tested, and they'll also likely want a pricey prescription for a life-long drug that the pharm companies of course love.

Thanks very much for the reply.

She did perform oral sex on me, which was a big scare for me if she would have herpes develop on her face. I was confused though, as to why it would develop on her chin (where i thought a sore from my facial hair was likely) and why it wouldn't affect more sensitive tissue areas like her lips, inside of her mouth, etc. Also, considering the possibility of infection, a condom wouldn't have protected her from an area of my groin that was infected, as I have no symptoms on my penis. And, should she see facial herpes develop quicker than genital would?

Also, I've been keeping up with her on her general health and any developments. For a primary outbreak (as this should be for her, and for me as well??) wouldn't a person have some fairly serious health impacts, like fever, pain in infected areas, swollen glands, and the like? Are these kind of symptoms with an outbreak uniform, or are they just common? I'm aware that this would effect every person differently, but are there are fairly solid guidelines to watch for to help figure out the situation? I don't know much about it besides what I've researched over the last few days, but are the things you mostly read about from primary infection likely to occur, even if less severe?

Mild symptoms seem to be very dangerous. I have read many people don't know they are infected with herpes, due to mild symptoms and not being tested. Would these mild symptoms still have recurring outbreaks like more severe cases? And would they follow the same patterns as well? Something to look for in the future I guess.

Thanks for the help. when I go to get tested, how long do results usually take to be returned, for tissue testing and blood? Thanks again.