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MORE HELP NEEDED!! Migrating cold sores? Desperate

I know it is generally not accepted to post a new question in regard to the same topic recently posted about, but I'm feeling a little desperate. I really need more advice. I have never had a cold sore outbreak anywhere except my bottom lip. I now believe I am having an outbreak on my top lip for the first time, at 34 weeks pregnant. I am terrified of a *primary* outbreak of a new strain right before the birth, and having that cause a congenital neonatal herpes infection in my newborn,  or passing this new infection to my newborn at some point after birth, inadvertently, bc he will not have gotten antibodies. This new lesion is different from my other cold sores, but also does not resemble a canker sore. It is very small, and only really hurts if i bite it. It does throb a bit, and definitely tingles slightly. To others, they say it looks like a pimple, but it is not. The area is not very swollen, but it is red, with a white-ish lesion in center (but still, does not resemble a canker). It is mostly on the mucus membrane slightly inside the lip, but it is on the border of my actual lip. I would like more input as to whether or not reoccurring herpes outbreaks can appear in another location, such as on a different lip, years after outbreaks have reoccured somewhere else? I am really terrified here. I have to wait until next week for a dermatologist appt. and an OB appt. I was only exposed to another's cold sore when my father shared some food with me  a few weeks ago before I knew he had a cold sore, and again when I noticed our waitress at a resturant had one (less than 1 week ago). I already get cold sore outbreaks. I have been under a great deal of stress recently, which is a trigger for me. PLEASE advise! I am so, so scared.
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Avatar universal
I am well aware of the symptomology associated with OCD. And yes, during my pregnancies, and the hormonal changes that come with it, such symptoms are exacerbated.  That being said, I should clarify: I am well aware that I cannot contract the same strain of herpes twice.  I have never had typing done, however, I know that if I have HSV 1, then I cannot contract a "new primary infection". However, my concern with the new lesion in a DIFFERENT area is that I may have contracted a *different strain* (HSV 2, for example, if I have HSV 1, or vice versa).  I understand that, too, would not be a primary infection, but instead  a non-primary first episode. I liken it to one who contracts genital herpes type 2, having already had type 1 (cold sores).  If I were to contract HSV 2 orally (which I also understand is rare, but there are certainly documented cases), then even in the case of a non-primary first episode, my unborn child could still contract congenital herpes in the womb. You ** must** understand that neonatal herpes is EXTREMELY SERIOUS, and most often, deadly, regardless of how it is transmitted- congenitally, during the birth, or after birth by adults with cold sores who the kiss the baby's face. I am a mother, and my concern and fierce drive to protect my children should not be underestimated or overlooked. I am concerned for my child. Otherwise, before I heard of the serious nature of neonatal herpes, my cold sore outbreaks were nothing more than a terrible nuisance, and I would never have posted here.  Also, for reference: I am married and monogamous. My concern with contracting a different strain of herpes stems form the (remote, I know) possibility (even if not it's not probable) chance that I could have contracted a different strain from my father who shared my food a few weeks ago (while he had an outbreak), or from the waitress who touched my plate and utensils just days ago.  It has been my understanding that the virus, which lays dormant in the facial nerves, generally follows the same neural pathway back to the same or very similar location of previous outbreaks when the virus is reactivated. Again, I have only had an outbreak on my bottom lip, and suddenly, after 6-7 years of outbreaks, I have one on my top lip. This is uncharacteristic, and again, given the serious nature of neonatal herpes, and my being so close to delivery, this is a concern of mine. I just don't see how the same virus would suddenly appear in a new spot. I also understand that autoinnoculation does not happen except during a primary outbreak or very shortly thereafter, so I KNOW I did NOT  "spread it to a new place".  It simply doesn't make sense that an outbreak is occurring in a new spot, and I am close to delivery, so I am seeking as many answers as possible.
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Avatar universal
There is no such thing as a new primary outbreak. Once you have a particular virus type, like HSV1, you are immune to new infections with that type; and even if it might occur, it would not be a "primary" infection.

It is clear that you are seriously obsessed with herpes. This is an OCD problem, and a key feature of OCD is that there are always "what if", "yes but", or "is it possible" questions. I would suggest you discuss these feelings with a professional counselor. You are free to continue to ask questions as often as you like on this forum, but there is little point; the answers obviously are not helping you.
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