Question:
If I get a cold sore is it possible for it to become genital herpes?
Answer:
You should definitely see a doctor to find out. In order to have a
good culture taken of the sores, then you will need to be at the
doctor's office at the first sign of a genital blister.
I would also suggest that you both have herpes blood tests.
There are a few things to know about type 1 herpes which generally is
what cold sores are. How long have you had the cold sores? How do
you know you have passed it to your genitals? If you partner has had
type 1 herpes for more than a year or two, then it would be really
difficult to give it to her again. Type 1 herpes is apparently very
difficult to pass from genital to genital - I don't know why. I have
type 1 herpes located genitally and have been with my husband for 16
years. He has never shown any signs of getting herpes. The reason
for getting blood tests done is to determine what type(s) of herpes
you have. You need to have been infected for 12 - 16 weeks for the
blood tests to be accurate. A culture will tell you if what you are
experiencing in the genital region is indeed herpes.
