Suggest Treatment For Symptoms Of Oral Herpes

Posted on Sat, 19 Dec 2015

Question: I was looking for some help and understanding today when it comes to oral herpes and autoinnoculation. I've read both online and heard from speaking to doctors face to face so many different thoughts on this subject that I'm not sure what's true and what's not. I've heard that autoinnoculation is very common and I've also heard that it is extremely rare due to the bodies supply of antibodies after the first primary outbreak. I'm having a hard time here sorting fact from fiction and truth from myth. I have seen two general practitioners and one ophthalmologist in person and even they seemed unsure about how common or rare autoinnoculation is. I've done extensive Google searches on this and all those sources seem to claim that autoinnoculation is extremely rare however I know Google sources are not always accurate. I just want so good highly supportive proven facts about autoinnoculation and how rare or common it truly is. I've even had a doctor on here tell me before that autoinnoculation is so rare and that I now have a supply of antibodies that I could touch an infective sore and touch my eye and chances of the virus spreading to my eyes in the form of ocular herpes would be minuscule at best, then I had another doctor on here tell me that autoinnoculation is very very common. I'm so lost on this subject. If it makes a difference I'm a 29 year old XXXXXXX male, I've been getting outbreaks on my lips for 5 years now and thus far have never had a blister anywhere else on my face or body, and in a typical year I get anywhere from 2-6 actual blister outbreaks, and I have never taken any antiviral medications for them as both my general practitioners feel that since I heal in about 7 days and I don't get outbreaks monthly then I have no need for antiviral medication.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Details below

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query.
I will try to clear your doubts.
First of all you should understand what is herpes and what auto inoculation means.
Herpes simplex virus is primarily of two types.
Type 1 effecting area above waist and mainly causing oral or lip lesions.
Type 2 effecting area below waist and causing genital herpes.
It is believed that presence of one of the virus reduces the chance of infection from other however it is not mandatory.
Oral sex can lead to type 2 virus getting transferred from genitalia to lip or type 1 from lip yo genitals.
Herpes virus stays in the nerve ganglion and whenever you are under stress it flares up.
It usually affects a single nerve and hence appears repeatedly at same place.
This doesn't mean that it cannot spread to other parts.
If you keep touching your lip with fresh lesion then it can get transferred to fingers and then it's known as herpetic whitlow.
Don't get confused with autoimmunity that if you have virus at one part of body it cannot spread anywhere else.
If it can affect one part it can affect other body parts too.
Its better that you take a course of antiviral medication and try to remain stress free.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (7 minutes later)

Ive mentioned antivirals but my doctor has yet to give them to me. She did give me antiviral ointment to rub on the sore but no pills. Claiming that since i heal in 7 days and since im usually limited to less than 6 outbreaks a year there is no real reason to take antiviral pills. My fear is spreading this virus from my lip to other parts of my own body

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (25 hours later)

Brief Answer:
oral antiviral

Detailed Answer:
Hello
I understand your concern.
I want to prevent further spread and hence I am suggesting oral antivirals.
Topical medication will only give symptomatic relief.
Meet your doctor and discuss about suppressive antiviral therapy.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (4 hours later)

Ive asked my doctor for them and she says they are not required for me since i only have a few outbreaks per year.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (27 hours later)

Brief Answer:
wait for your doctor to decide

Detailed Answer:
Hello
With 6 outbreaks I think oral antiviral should be considered however your treating doctor is best to advice as she is seeing your condition personally.
Just wait and let her decide when to start.
However I hope now you don't have confusion over immunity.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (3 minutes later)

Sometimes its not that many. I havent had an outbreak at all since january 2015. In 2014 i think i had 3-4 outbreaks.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
wait for 6 months

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

If the outbreak is limited to one part of body, you can control it with cream.
Best way is to apply the cream for a week whenever you have stress. This will prevent the lesions from appearing.
However as you mentioned you are getting lesions on other parts of body which might need oral treatment.
I suggest you to wait for another 6 months and note down where all and how frequently you get lesions.
Based on this analysis exact treatment can be initiated.

Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad