Auto-Innoculation

[nick123]

Hi Terri,

I have had HSV2 for several years. Have recently moved to a new area of the country and am experiencing a multitude of skin issues around my body. Of particular concern is chafing (or potentially a continued staph infection) in my inner thighs that is causing groups of small, red abrasions / dots. They typically don’t open up, but sometimes do. Specifically – I’m concerned about spreading HSV2 from my penis to my inner thighs during an HSV2 outbreak and an open area of my skin on inner thigh. I know that typically auto-inoculation is not much of a concern after the first year, but I still worry because the implications of the virus presenting in other areas of my body are very scary. Physically, is this something worth worrying about / are there any necessary precautions that you would recommend? Or is it better to just let it all be and trust that auto-inoculation won’t occur? I don’t want to do more than I have to, but I also want to be making sure I’m being safe.

I also exercise and surf a lot. Are these activities that I should avoid during an outbreak? My specific concern is the friction between penis and inner thigh (running, surfing, etc.) and having auto-innoculation occur, particularly if the skin on the inner thigh is mildly damaged. Also, having the virus get into the wetsuit if surfing during an outbreak, and staying there, to be infectious at a later date?

Thank you!!

[Terri Warren]

So the thing is, recurrences of HSV 2 can show up anywhere in the boxer shorts area just by traveling along a slightly different nerve, you don’t need to move it around yourself. But what you describe sounds nothing like an outbreak to me. It sounds way more like a fungal infection to me.

Terri

[nick123]

Thank you, Terri!

Agreed that this does not sound or feel like an outbreak. My question really is, what is the risk of auto innoculation to a nearby area from an outbreak rubbing against damaged skin? And should i be taking precautions to avoid that (such as not running or surfing and things that cause friction)? Or not really a concern?

Also my understanding is that the vast majority of the time, recurrences occur at the same spot as initial infection, and it’s pretty rare to have it pop up on a different place. Is that accurate?

[nick123]

And I’ve never had an outbreak anywhere except my penis… In the absence of a visible lesion, any concern with non sexual contact in the boxer region? For example, sitting thigh to thigh with someone in a car, both wearing shorts?

[nick123]

Or holding a baby against thigh / lap? Please keep in mind I’m hyper aware of all of these things, so I’m really looking for reassurance rather than extra unnecessary precautions

[Terri Warren]

Herpes is not transmitted from thighs unless there is a lesion there – the skin is too thick. The parts of your body that are infectious are the penis, the anus and possibly the top of the scrotum – no where else in the genital area as the skin is too thick for virus to be shed. Obviously, if there is a lesion somewhere else, that is infectious.

The virus lives in all if the nerves of the boxer shorts so there is no worry about autoinoculation.

Terri

[nick123]

Thank you so much, Terri!! Extremely helpful and the explanation of the “why” really helps put my mind at ease. Really appreciate it and all you do for the HSV community!

[Terri Warren]

You are most welcome

Terri

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