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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Cold Sores, Herpes Infection On Lips. Possible To Contract It Without Having Sexual Relations?

my ex-fianceé told me she had suddenly developed cold soars ( herpes ) on her lips .... she swears she has no physical intimate contact with anyone .. she is a doctor so she tells me that it is a possibility that she could have picked up the virus from somewhere ?? she is a dentist .. is it true you can suddenly develop cold soars without having sexual relations ?
Fri, 23 Nov 2012
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Dermatologist 's  Response
Hi there.

Your ex-fiancee is absolutely on the ball...yes you can develop 'cold sores' sans sexual relations.

All Herpetic infections are not sexually transmitted.

Earlier there was a notion that HSV2 was sexually transmitted & affected the genitalia & HSV1 appeared on the lips & was non-sexually transmitted but with the sexual practices having changed worldwide, this does not hold true anymore.

One can do a serum (blood) IgG & IgM test to figure out the titres & type of HSV & this will give you a clue. Besides it will tell you recent infection or old infection

Wish you both good health! Cheers!

Dr Praveen Rodrigues MD
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Cold Sores, Herpes Infection On Lips. Possible To Contract It Without Having Sexual Relations?

Hi there. Your ex-fiancee is absolutely on the ball...yes you can develop cold sores sans sexual relations. All Herpetic infections are not sexually transmitted. Earlier there was a notion that HSV2 was sexually transmitted & affected the genitalia & HSV1 appeared on the lips & was non-sexually transmitted but with the sexual practices having changed worldwide, this does not hold true anymore. One can do a serum (blood) IgG & IgM test to figure out the titres & type of HSV & this will give you a clue. Besides it will tell you recent infection or old infection Wish you both good health! Cheers! Dr Praveen Rodrigues MD