Hello,

I have a question regarding auto innoculation of herpes.

I’ve had HSV1 orally for 17yrs and get coldsores, I get them less and less frequently with it being 5 yrs since the last one.  Recently I masturbated and rubbed my vagina vigourusly possibly leaving some skin abrasions.  The next day I was biting my nails and touching my lips quite a bit. I then washed my hands for at least 60sec, washing around and under nails too with soapy water. I then masturbated again after washing hands.  Afterwards I noticed the start of a coldsore. My question is- if I had skin abrasions on my genitals, touched my coldsore several times, washed my hands how I stated above, then masturbated; could I possibly have had HSV1 on my hands still which could have entered the abrasions and given myself genital herpes? Please let me know if this is even possible and if not, how this works so I can have some reassurance.

Thank you for your help!