Intraoral herpes?

[Herp99]

About two years ago I repeatedly kissed a girl that I know had herpes including outbreaks. I did this a couple of times and then I noticed strange sensations, warmth in my face etc. It started to hurt in my mouth and I had flu like symptoms for 8!! months or so. I suspected herpes and tested negative twice, once a few weeks after i first felt the symptoms and secondly about 3 months after first symptoms. Both tests came back negative. They were serum but sadly I don't know which kind or anything else. My problems with general ill feeling, stiff neck etc etc and stuff going on in my mouth has continued, but are thankfully a bit weaker than initially. Still completely life changing though. :sad:

So..I uploaded an imgur album for you to look at and see if you suspect anything. The last 5 pictures are an episode of 2-3 days I had like 5 months after initial symptoms. All other pics are from the last couple of months.

Album: http://imgur.com/a/k1X9G

Thanks for your help!

[HowardH]

This is a herpes forum, and not an ideal site to judge the causes of problems once herpes has been ruled out. Sorry I can't help further. Good luck.

[Herp99]

Thank you again! This girl had a diagnosed genital herpes (which I did not come into contact with) and claimed that she had oral herpes since before as well. But I do not think the oral herpes was really diagnosed and come to think about it she had her intraoral ulcers on non attached tissue, like the area just inside the lip and also one or two on the tongue I think. She claimed that her main problem when having outbreaks was a sore throat, which I guess is not an uncommon manifestation of herpes if you obtain it in adulthood (not sure she did), but could of course be lots of other things. I wonder what I DO have if it's not herpes. It does not fit the description and pictures I've seen of canker sores..hmm..

[HowardH]

I question your exposure to herpes based on "a clear intraoral outbreak". Recurrent herpes outbreaks rarely occur inside the mouth. Most ulcers in the mouth are canker sores -- an entirely different problem, although some people confuse them with herpes or call them cold sores, But these are entirely different conditions.

It's interesting to speculate on cause(s) of canker sores, which are not well understood, and your oral ulcers problem. But still all the evidence is strongly against herpes.

[Herp99]

Does anyone recognise something in the pictures?

[Herp99]

Thanks for a good answer. I agree that it seems to be far from a typical HSV infection. However, it started at a very logical time: a few days after having kissed someone with a clear intraoral outbreak. And...I really can't see what else it could be. I guess the fact that the iGG test only has about 90% hit accuracy worries me somewhat.

What about the fact that it seems to partly occur in lines? Anyone seen that before?

[Life360_Dave]

Hi At this point all i can say is to have a herpes iGG blood test to confirm your status.

[HowardH]

Most of the volunteers on this forum don't examine posted photos of rashes, lesions, etc. We aren't health professionals and not qualified. I cheated and looked briefly, and my main thought is that recurrent herpes outbreaks -- wherever they are -- typically recur in more or less the same place each time, but the sores I see near your teeth appear to be in several locations. In addition, although initial oral herpes often has sores etc only inside the mouth, recurrent outbreaks are pretty much always external, like on or near the lips. Also, herpes never causes ongoing symptoms for months or years.

Add these facts to your negative blood tests and it is certain herpes isn't the problem. Show your oral sores to your dentist or doctor, and discuss your other symptoms with your doctor. I'm pretty sure she or he will agree herpes isn't the cause of any of your symptoms.