Also, could you maybe help me understand... It seems like what I am reading and hearing is that the majority of Americans have HSV, and that most people acquire oral HSV 1 as children. BUT it also seems like when I ask about various scenarios and the level of risk of giving HSV to my kids, the consensus is that the risk is very low. ***So...how are all these kids getting oral HSV 1?*** I'm just struggling to understand....

If, for example, it is unlikely that I would acquire HSV from drinking from the same straw as someone who has an active cold sore, then what kind of contact are kids having with the virus that leaves them infected? Is it from adults with ACTIVE cold sores kissing the kids' cheeks? Or ASYMPTOMATIC adults kissing the kids' cheeks? When I asked my doctor, she said she thought it was more likely that it was being spread by respiratory droplets as people sneeze. When I then asked whether this created concern over sneezing while changing a child's diaper and risk of the child then acquiring genital HSV, she said that it was unlikely but that if the child had a diaper rash the risk would be higher of course. I am very confused.  

So - would it be accurate to say that the only way a child is going to acquire HSV from their parent is if the parent has an active cold sore and kisses the child?

I suspect that you will tell me this is nonsense, but I would like to just ask the question anyway. When I was trying to look up information about how HSV is transmitted, I came across a webpage that looks like it is an official site in Canada (Public Health Agency of Canada). It is a 'Pathogen Safety Data Sheet.' Under the section 'Mode of Transmission,' it states that HSV can be transmitted via respiratory droplets. This is the website: 

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/psds-ftss/herpes-eng.php#footnote14

When I scrolled down to look at the footnote connected with that statement, this was the reference:  Whitley, R. J. (2006). Herpes simplex encephalitis: adolescents and adults. Antiviral Research, 71(2-3), 141-148.

I am having a lot of concern about even BREATHING on my kids' laundry these days. Especially their undergarments. I know HSV is NOT airborne, but the whole respiratory droplet thing seems tricky to me. ***Please help me to understand so that I can move on from this.*** I just want to do my very best to protect my kids...but it is hard to understand what is good due diligence and what is overkill. And I've been trying to clarify with my doctor, but I am just ending up more confused and worried after talking with her. 

Please... I would really, really be so grateful if u could help me understand. ***Is there any possible way I could somehow transmit enough virus so as to be infectious while folding their laundry or helping them get dressed? Like by sneezing on it or just "spraying" my spit accidentally while talking or breathing? And the same questions specifically in regards to changing diapers, which seems even riskier since their bare skin is exposed?***

I do think I will proceed with the Western Blot. Do you have any suggestions as to how to go about that from out of state, or do I just need to call the number on the U. of Washington's website?

Also, I don't mean to beat a dead horse here, but after so much misinformation from other providers, it's become a bit difficult for me to let go of all my concerns. You have been so helpful, and I hope you might be willing to bear with me just a bit more. 

*Could you refer me to some studies or other sources that discuss/demonstrate the relatively "large" amount of virus required to transmit this disease? Or perhaps there is another "ask the expert" type venue that you believe is reputable where I could ask the same question? I respect your analysis very much, and you seem like the most knowledgeable person on this this subject BY FAR that I have encountered.  It's just that after all the contradictions i've had to navigate through up til now,  I would just really love to hear the same answer from two providers. 

*If my mouth lesions are herpetic (although I hope they are not), should I be doing anything special with my laundry? Should I wash it separately from the rest of the family? Should I use warm or hot water? Is cold water ok? Maybe the temp doesn't matter at all bc the detergent plus the agitation of the wash cycle would be enough to render the virus in-transmissible?

As another note, I noticed a small bump on the inside of one of my labia about four or five months after I had the first mouth lesion. It was just slightly raised and kind of red, but not painful at all. It was gone within about 48 hours. I exercise a lot and I'm embarrassed to say it had been 2 or 3 days since I'd showered, so I was hoping it was just some sort of irritation or clogged pore or something as a result of the sweat/friction/not washing. I had a NP look at it and she said it didn't look at all like herpes, but I'm not sure how much she was familiar with what seems like could be a huge range of presentations of herpes.  In hindsight I wish I'd tried to have it swabbed, but it just didn't occur to me at the time...and I'm not sure exactly what they would have swabbed since there wasn't any fluid or anything. But ever since then I've been afraid that I somehow auto-inoculated, so I've been washing my hands after handling my dirty laundry and washing all my stuff separately. I've also been nervous to let the kids climb in bed with me, bc I'm afraid the sheets are contaminated. What do u think?

So doing laundry is no special thing. Any need to wash my hands after handling the dirty laundry?

What about my pillow.....? I have been afraid to let my husband or the kids touch it, much less lay their heads on it. I know I drool in my sleep. And when I wake up in the morning, I wonder if I need to change my clothes bc I might have drooled on my shirt during the night...?

Do you have any thoughts about the bump on my labia and whether it sounds suspicious of herpes?

Thank you.