Reply To: Cold Sore to Genital Autoinoculation

[missanonymolly]

Hi Terri,
Thank you for your thoughtful response. It’s comforting to know that this type of autoinocultion has been rare in your experience.

Does immediate washing/scrubbing the area (within minutes of contact) lower the risk of contraction?

The laser I use is called Luminance Red for Cold Sores. They also carry lasers specifically targeting genital herpes, canker sores and acne. From my understanding, they are FDA approved. Here is the link provided by the company with studies to support their claims of quicker healing time: https://luminancered.com/blogs/news/clinical-data-of-phototherapy-and-cold-sores

I was just panicking and doing anything I could think of, as fast as I could, to minimize the likelihood transmission (although I understand the skin-to-skin transmission route of a virus may not be impacted by external measures?) This is the viral transmission route that confuses me the most.

On another note, do you think it is necessary to get tested now that I believe wholeheartedly that I am experiencing cold sores, rather than what I had previously hoped was just sensitive, blister-prone skin? The idea of official confirmation causes me extreme anxiety. But I want to be sexually responsible and will get tested if that will make a difference to myself or others. I plan to act responsibly and truthfully either way.

Thank you again for your time!