What Causes Fluid Filled Lesions On Upper Lip Post Oral Sex?

Posted on Wed, 1 Jul 2015

Question: Hello Doctor,
I am a 44 yr old male. On Tuesday June2 I briefly performed oral sex on and kissed a female csw. The following day I noticed what felt like a lump in my throat and my lip/mouth area felt odd warm and maybe a little tingly. The weird feeling in my lips remained for a few days. The sore throat has not gone away and has progressively gotten worse. It is still not too bad however (I went to the gym today with no problem and I have no problems eating or drinking). Looking at it with a flash light today XXXXXXX 10, I noticed it is very red, like the pictures I see for strep throat. There is a coating of puss on my Uvula and some white patches on my Pharynx. I also have developed some acne, 4 pimples not touching, on left side of my face between the lips and nose 3-4 days after the encounter. One was large and had to be popped. As of today, they appear to be mostly healed. They have never developed any scabing.

I wanted to know what you think the chances of these symptoms being an initial herpes outbreak? And also what would explain the symptoms?
Thanks,
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Primary herpes infection

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

I have gone through your query in detail and I have also reviewed attached Images.

I can see grouped, discrete, fluid filled lesions on upper lip which is very suggestive of herpes virus infection.
Also the fact that they appeared within a few days after the act of Oral sex and kissing a csw suggests that they are very likely due to herpes simplex virus infection which could have been acquired either through oral sex Or through kissing.
Tingly feeling is quite usual with an eruption of herpes.
Sore throat with inflammation, sores and discharge coating pharynx (as seen in the image) is also part of primary herpes infection.

Oral sex is a risk for transmission of STD's like herpes, throat gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Kissing, is itself a separate risk for transmission of herpes infection.

I suggest that you visit a dermatologist in your vicinity for a clinical confirmatory diagnosis and for appropriate testing and treatment.

I would suggest you to undergo a swab test from throat for PCR for herpes simplex virus. This would be confirmatory.
A swab test from throat for gonorrhea and chlamydia is also advisable.

Treatment of primary herpes infection is with Oral antivirals e.g valacyclovir Or acyclovir Or famciclovir.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (10 minutes later)

Thank You for your response doctor.

I will follow your advise and see a doctor today.

Can I ask where you saw the fluid filled blisters on the upper lip in the photograph?

Also, given the fact that I had a sore throat the day after encounter provide any alternate possibilities?
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Primary herpes Infection is a very likely possibility

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Not exactly blisters. These seem like small, fluid filled lesions/ vesicles (which you probably refer as acne in your query), located on skin between nose and left side of upper lip.

Apart from herpes, throat gonorrhea and chlamydia is another possibility.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar