QUESTION
My boyfriend developed a cold sore on his mouth. He rimmed me last night. What is the likelihood of my developing a cold sore on my ass?

ANSWER
Cold sores on the lips are often caused by Herpes Simplex Virus type I. If you never have been infected with HSV-I, yes, you are at risk for getting herpes around the anus.

HSV-I is increasingly becoming a common cause of genital and anal herpes. The only way to know if you ever have had HSV-I is to have had clinical symptoms (cold sores) or a blood test that measures the HSV-I antibody.

To your health,
Dr. K