I Have Had Fever Blisters For Over 30 Yrs On

Posted on Mon, 20 May 2019

Question: I have had fever blisters for over 30 yrs on my lips. I transmitted them to my wife about 20 yrs ago while giving her oral sex. I have never got infected on my penis before. She hasnt had an outbreak in over a year. Now after a very stressful period. I got a fever blister on my lip and sores on my penis. Dr. said it was herpes. tried to test, but area too dry and test came back inconclusive. Now wife thinks I got infected through another person. I have not touched another person. Do I have herpes or something else?"

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Possible herpes 2 genitalis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to Ask a doctor service.
I read your query and here is my advice.

Herpes labialis the one that comes out in lips is herpes simplex type 1, never give vesicles on genital area, is different from herpes 2 genitalis which gives sores on genital area and not in lips.
You may have been infected with herpes 2 many years before without having an outbreak and it just happened now due to possible low immunity.
Herpes 2 is only transmitted sexually or skin to skin contact.
If you take valacyclovir as you are taking for labial herpes you can help also with genital herpes.

Since the test is not confirmed and characteristic vesicles are not formed yet herpes 2 genitalis is not confirmed.
Do herpes 2 test to check for it.

Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (32 minutes later)

I did have sexually relations with my wife. But she has not had an outbreak in about a year, and her's are on the outside of her vagina when she does get them.
Is it possible to get herpes on my penis then?"
Do you think I even have herpes?"
and are you also saying -I could not transfer my lip herpes to the exterior lips of her vagina?

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It can be possible for herpes 1 to be transmitted to genitals.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again. I think you can transmit the lips herpes to her lips but there also exists a small possibility of transmitting Herpes 1 to genitals causing sores.
If she has the sores around vaginal area she can transmit it to you to genitals.
Doing herpes tests can determine the type of herpes you have.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 hour later)

thank you for your help. I have read more about herpes. This is what I am understanding. Do you agree with this statement? If I have had unprotected sex with my wife for the entire 20 years she has been infected. Odds are I have contracted herpes 2 and my outbreak could happen at anytime. Especially after a very stressful event?

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome

Detailed Answer:
You are welcome. I think you are right and have understand exactly the concern.
Wishing you good health. Best regards.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad