Can Herpes Test Come Back Positive - What Causes a Cold Sore on the Lip?

by Blu
(Minnesota, USA)

When they test you for herpes can the test come back positive if you just have a cold sore on your lip? I guess mine is almost gone (if indeed it was a cold sore). And if you have a positive oral herpes test, what does that really mean?

Answer
Yes, the test result can come back positive. What does a positive result really mean?

Positive for HSV-1: usually means that the virus is present around the lips.

Add info... Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Herpes simplex virus type I is the one that usually causes a cold sore. Herpes simplex type II usually causes genital herpes. Either type can cause a lesion on the face or genitals.

Most people are exposed to the virus as a child, but anyone can be exposed at any age. Once exposed, the virus lies dormant in the nerve cells of the skin and may reoccur as an active infection at or near the site where the first cold sore appeared.

Triggers
Stress, illness, menstruation, fever and sun exposure may trigger the recurrence of a cold sore. Some seem to have recurrent outbreaks and are not aware of the triggers that cause the cold sore.