Can you get herpes from saliva?

[ida_daniels]

I've been seeing a new guy for almost 2 months now. We haven't had sex, but about two weeks ago he spit on my vagina while rubbing my clit. In the past couple days, on the outside of my vulva on the lips there's a large bump resembling an ingrown hair. I shaved two weeks ago but this one seems particularly painful to the touch, but that could be because of the location. I did squeeze it (like an idiot) and white fluid/pus came out, but the bump is still there and doesn't look or feel much different. It's decent size, firm to the touch, and doesn't seem to be in a cluster. Up until this point, I've never had anything resembling a sore or ulcer in my entire life anywhere.

I don't have any other symptoms (fever, muscle cramps and aches, sore throat, flu symptoms etc). I've felt a little nauseous but I've also been particularly stressed recently, and my anxiety tends to make me nauseous.

I guess my question is, could he have given me herpes just from saliva? Everything else we've done, it would make more sense for me to have cold sores on my lips if anything. I've been avoiding seeing him because the bump is large and red enough to be noticeable, and I don't know how to explain that a) this has never happened before and b) I'm only like 50% certain it's just an ingrown hair.

[auntiejessi]

No, though you could from oral sex. Herpes requires direct skin-to-skin contact to transmit.

The bump could be an infected hair follicle, a clogged oil gland, or a number of other things. You should get it checked out, and don't try to drain it. That is a very easy way to get it infected. If it's red or darker than your other skin, or warm/hot to the touch, see a doctor today. That can indicate an infection called cellulitis, and that needs prompt medical attention.