Covid booster

[GAPRH]

Hi, I have read many reports in which people complain that the vaccines have reactivated dormant HSV infections. I am wondering if I should get (or wait to get) the bivalent booster if I am experiencing a new (likely) HSV1 outbreak that is taking a while to resolve (age 45). Thank you.

[GAPRH]

Also, on about September 1, 2022, I got my first cold sore ever (age 45, tested HSV negative at age 32, so no childhood infection). September 15, 2022, tested HSV1=1.19 and HSV2=1.64 with a negative reflex. Never had symptoms below until very equivocal issue also in September (could be yeast) that swabbed as negative (sept 15). My question: I honestly have not kissed on the mouth or had sexual contact with anyone in the six months preceding September 2022. I live appropriately with my son, who is five and has no symptoms, but whom I may have shared a drink or something. My questions: How could this have happened? And if I get a second negative HSV2 supplemental, can I accept that? Thank you.

[GAPRH]

Hi Terri, Finally, I wonder if a first outbreak is more severe for middle-aged people (like chicken pox). Does age of infection correlate with or cause more (and more severe) outbreaks going forward? I do feel like I may have spread it on my body (starting with first mouth cold sore that I did not recognize as such for a while). Thank you!

[Terri Warren]

Was the thing that you think was a cold sore swab tested and positive? When you say it is taking a while to resolve, what is a while? What did it look like when it first showed up and what does it look like now and how long between first showing up and now? Your HSV 1 test is a very low positive and very well could be a false positive – sounds like your HSV 2 supplemental was negative and that should be reassuring – we worry about positive supplemental being wrong but not so much negative supplemental. I don’t think you need a second one.

It is also quite unlikely that you wouldn’t kiss anyone for 6 months and then get a first cold sore – that doesn’t fit at all. Either this is a recurrence or it’s not a cold sore.

Transmission to your son is highly unlikely, even if this is a cold sore.

Terri

[GAPRH]

Hi Terri, Thank you for your response. When I wrote that it is taking a while to resolve, I think I used the wrong terminology. It sounds like I had a (possible) initial outbreak and then a recurrence.

I have had about two “cold sores” so far. First, I had a single sore on the top right lip/ skin border, which remained about two weeks. It appeared immediately following dental work (never happened before despite lots of dental work), and I thought it was acne at first (and did not treat it carefully). But then, even though I was taking antibiotics (for dental), it remained for about two weeks, with a scab that lasted far longer than any acne scab has ever remained (unfortunately, I do still get acne). It is unclear whether I had an additional lesion on my lips because my lips were chapped and pealing (normal for me). Second, about three weeks after the first one resolved, I got a second one (also while on antibiotics, now for a sinus infection), below my lip, above my chin. This presented similarly to a large whitehead, except the scar also lingered longer than normal acne and it did not appear to have pus. In between all of this, I have felt tickley sensations, which I attack with a tea tree oil/ alcohol mix and nothing sprouts.

In any case, does this sound like cold sores? Could the low HSV1 IGG be consistent with a new infection? It sounds like I either need a swab test and/or Western Blot? I think I have to wait about 2 more months for WB?

Thank you again for your assistance.

[GAPRH]

Update: given all of the antibiotics I have been taking, I was just diagnosed with a pretty severe vaginal yeast infection, which was probably responsible for any suspicious lesions below the belt (two separate swabs were negative for HSV). I just don’t know whether this could have also caused the acne/cold-sore appearing lesions on my face/ mouth. I still think I will need a WB to avoid future disclosures? Thank you again.

[Terri Warren]

I think your symptoms fit well with a severe yeast infection – you’ve had lots of antibiotics for sure. But if you want to know for sure if your oral symptoms are herpes, the western blot is your answer there.

Terri

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