[Question #12540] Non-sexual Hsv2 transmission to family

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7 months ago
Hello my question is in regards to transmission to family members. 
Is it safe for family members to live with you if you have hsv2?
What if someone accidentally uses your towel could they catch it that way? 
My son has been getting reoccurring boils and I’m so scared somehow I’ve given him this. 
Have you seen any cases of virgins no penetration or oral contracting it from living in a household with someone who has it? I’m so scared my anxiety is through the roof I’m so ashamed and embarrassed and if he contracted this from living with me I won’t be able to live with myself. What if his hand hygiene isn’t up to par could he catch it from not washing his hands? what if somehow I got the virus on the sink or doorknob and now he has it? What if I forgot to wash my hands and touched something could he possibly get it this way? Should I isolate and not live with people? Is shingles in the eye an std could that have come from me somehow? 
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
7 months ago
it is definitely safe for family members to live with you if you have HSV 2!  
We do suggest that people have their own towels, as towels are the one thing that stays warm and moist and the virus likes that, though I have never seen any transmission via an inanimate object like a towel or anything else in my long career with this virus.  
Your son did not contract HSV 2 from you, assuming there is no sexual contact between you ( I always have to say that but know it isn't the case for you).  
He will not get this from you in any other way.
Shingles is caused by the chicken pox virus and could show up around you eye but that's a whole different thing.
Terri
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7 months ago
Ok thanks I have been so worried. I’m not sure if it’s all in my head but his symptoms just matches too closely and I know he’s not sexually active he doesn’t even go places. My mind automatically goes to he’s gotten it from me. My aunt lives with me and if that was the case she would have it to right? if it’s that easily spread. So if I got out the shower left my towel in there and he gotten in a hr later and made a mistake and used my towel is there a chance he could get it. I rinse my towel out but sometimes I forgot to take it out the bathroom. It’s just worrisome that he keeps getting these boils like  and I don’t wanna have him tested because of the false positive. Would you recommend me getting him tested? I can say for certain he’s not sexually active of any kind he has bad social anxiety. It would be just my luck that we would be the rare case that this would happen to of a non sexual case through household activities. I’m praying for some peace of mind.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
7 months ago
There is no reason to believe that anyone in your family would acquire HSV 2 from you, not your son and not your aunt.  If you continue to be concerned about the boils that he is getting, I would suggest that you see his pediatrician and talk about them and if appropriate, have lab testing done from them.  I would bet a million dollars they are not due to HSV

Terri
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7 months ago
Thanks Terri  it just seems so odd to get them in that place and my anxiety is just at an high. I’m crying writing this. I made him show me and It looked like a water blister to me kinda of like flesh colored on the top I can’t explain it, he said it’s painful. He was given antibiotics which he did not finish then he said it came back I wrote the doc she said for him to continue the antibiotics.  He said it bled and because of the location it’s painful when he walks like the crease of his thigh bottom area Just a brief summary we went on the Dec 11th she looked at it prescribed antibiotics he didn’t finish antibiotics it went down then came back again on around the jan 12th or 13th that’s when I wrote doc and she said finish antibiotics. I’m so worried I haven’t gotten any sleep I have been browsing the net from healthtap, to westover to here seeing if any one has known of a similar experience. Whats scaring me is that it keeps reoccurring which I know is what happens with outbreaks  I’m sorry I’m scared I keep thinking what if we go to the Dr and that’s what it is I don’t want his life to be messed up like mines. I want him to live a healthy life and have kids and have a wife.its like everytime I calm
Down he comes and says I got a boil and my anxiety goes through the roof. I know you have had a long career with the virus so I’m going to trust your word that you you don’t believe that’s what this is.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
7 months ago
Many things could cause a bump in the skin that doesn't go away.  I would suggest that you stop browsing the internet, looking for answers.  Tell the doctor your concern, ask if it could be swab tested to see what is causing the bump and go from there.  You fear that you have given HSV to him is not realistic.  Outside of sexual abuse, I have never ever seen a parent give their child HSV 2.

Terri
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