[Question #5679] HSV1 Whitlow Please
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19 months ago
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I had a whitlow appear eight years ago on my index finger. It was confirmed HSV at that time via a swab test but I was so emotionally broken I didn't commit the type to memory. Since that time I have had no recurring outbreak on my finger and nearly forgot about it. I recently went to determine the type via blood draw and found out I have type 1.
- Is there any way to infect others when no outbreak is present?
- Any risk to touching myself or others anywhere? Particularly nieces and nephews?
- Could I also have this in my mouth? Would that be infectious to others? I have had a couple visible ulcers (I think) inside my upper lip but assumed they were not herpetic.
- Could I spread this via intercourse?
Concerned I could have put myself or others at risk.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
19 months ago
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- Is there any way to infect others when no outbreak is present?
No, the skin of the finger is too thick for virus to be shed from that area
- Any risk to touching myself or others anywhere? Particularly nieces and nephews?
No, not without a sore
- Could I also have this in my mouth? Would that be infectious to others? I have had a couple visible ulcers (I think) inside my upper lip but assumed they were not herpetic.
It's difficult to answer this - I don't know. If you have ulcers again inside your upper lip, you may wish to have them swab tested for herpes
- Could I spread this via intercourse?
No, not if you only have it on your finger
Terri
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