Herpes/cold sore

[Frank12355]

I visited a sex worker whilst on holiday and immediately noticed something on her lip which looked like a cold sore. I never questioned if it was indeed a cold sore. It looked quite dry. I’ve never had a cold sore or genital herpes. She gave me protected oral sex with a condom but licked around my scrotum for a few seconds during it. She also gave me a quick peck on the cheek when leaving. Is this a way of catching genital herpes or herpes from peck on cheek? Confused and worried. Thanks in advance

[auntiejessi]

You won't get it from a peck on the cheek - the skin there is too thick to penetrate.

If it was a cold sore on her lip, you could get genital herpes from the oral sex - it would be genital herpes type 1. The condom you used would reduce the risk significantly.

Do you know if you have oral herpes type 1? Have you ever had a cold sore? Even if you haven't, you can still have it. About 50% of the adult population has it orally, and about 90% of those will never have a cold sore. If you have it already, you can't get it again.

Licking your scrotum won't transmit it. It's direct contact with the lips that would transmit it.