About a week ago I started feeling itchy down in my croch. About the same time I started getting a virus (sore throat, stuffy nose, etc.) Then about 2 days later I started getting a sore on the inner lip of my vaginal area, and another smaller one closer to the actual opening thta both look EXACTLY like a canker sore (white, a little red around the edges). I dont think it could be a yeast infection cuz I dont have any simtoms of that, atleast common ones. I am not and haven't yet been sexually active, including no oral sex. I do have oral herpes (I get canker sores pretty often, but over the last year its slowed down some). But when I shave down there, sometimes I get small cuts that sting. As a common reaction to any cut for me I usually spit on it and rub it, and I dont remember if I've had a canker sore then. Could I have given myself herpes, or what else could it be??? I am really scared....and general herpes info would also be appriciated.

HELP ME!!!

**~kaitlyn~**

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**~kaitlyn~**

First of all, a canker sore is not herpes. Canker sores occur inside the mouth. Cold sores, on the other hand, are herpes and they occur typically outside the mouth, on the lip or skin right next to the lips.

If you get cold sores, there is a possibility that you transfered it from your mouth to your gentials. You should got to a doctor to get cultured for herpes right away because it's much easier to find out if you have it while you have an active genital sore. Also, while you're there, you can get anti-viral medication, which will speed up the healing and possibly prevent future outbreaks of both oral and genital herpes (if that's what you have).

I know this is a scary time, but the sooner you get a doc to tell you what it is, the sooner you can move on with your life. Good luck.

~Coops

Thanks Coopsie! I do get canker sores and cold sores, and I was informed they're the same, just carried being inside or outside the mouth. I usually get canker or cold sores when I am sick, so this might be the same thing just down by my vagina. So I am going to wait until this goes away...if it comes back again, especially if I am not sick I will go to the doctor right away.

Thanks again!

Hi Kait-

Just to clarify, canker sores are not herpes. Cold sores are herpes. I'm not sure how much you know about herpes, but I would strongly recommend not waiting until it comes back genitally to get tested.

Because you have oral herpes (the cause of the cold sores), you can pass it on to others both orally and genitally...even when you are not having an outbreak. Asymptomatic viral shedding, or AVS, is something that occurs both gentially and orally. Even though there are no sores, you can sometimes still pass it on...and you never know when those times are. Going to get your genital sores cultured will confirm whether or not you have gential herpes. If you do, then you CAN pass it on genitally and orally from there too.

You mentioned that you haven't had sex of any kind, but I'm assuming you will someday. When that day comes, it's the opinion of many people that your future partners should know if they are at risk of getting herpes from you.

I would suggest getting blood-tested, but you already know that Herpes Type 1 is in your blood...What you need to know is whether the sores on your genitals are being caused by Herpes. And only a culture will tell you that.

I wouldn't wait, because even if it never comes back, you could still pass it on.

Good luck.

~Coops