GHSV1 and Herpetic Whitlow

[penelope]

Hi Terri,

I am female and I contracted GHSV1 from a partner through oral sex. After the sores appeared, I got tested. They of course did a blood test for HSV but it was only 1 week after being infected so of course it came back negative. I assume this means it is a very recent infection. Once I got that result, I did go to my GYN and they performed a PCR test and it came back positive for HSV1. When I noticed the first sore it was because I had scratched it with my finger nail while in the shower. I also used hydrocortisone for the itching a few times early on. Well, I must have had a cut under my fingernail and I started forming blisters on one of my fingertips as if contracting GHSV1 wasn’t devastating enough. How I managed to not have an outbreak on my mouth is beyond me. We kissed a good bit.

I’m currently taking 1 gram of Valtrex 3 times a day until 5/11 and then will take 500 mg a day for the 1st year at least.

My main concern is having it on my finger now. I have been keeping it covered w/ either a finger cot or a bandage as it heals. I read somewhere that recurrence is rare for the finger and that also viral shedding is rare from the finger. Considering I got that info from the internet, I wanted to ask a professional.

My questions are:

1. Do you have any info on recurrence of Herpetic Whitlow and asymptomatic shedding w/ no breaks in the skin?
2. When it comes to shedding, do I only need to be mindful of breaks in the skin of that 1 finger or should I worry about my entire hand?
3. I love CrossFit. Will I need to wear gloves or some other finger covering at the gym or just out in public in general? I suppose #2 & 3 responses would help answer this question but wanted to ask it anyway.
4. What is the possibility of infecting any other part of my own body (like my mouth or eye) in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd month, then 1st and 2nd year?

[Terri Warren]

1. Do you have any info on recurrence of Herpetic Whitlow and asymptomatic shedding w/ no breaks in the skin?

We don’t have info on whitlow recurrences, no. We do know that the skin of the finger is too thick for asymptomatic shedding to happen.

2. When it comes to shedding, do I only need to be mindful of breaks in the skin of that 1 finger or should I worry about my entire hand?
Again, no shedding without a sore. And if you have a sore, you only need to worry about that finger, not others.

3. I love CrossFit. Will I need to wear gloves or some other finger covering at the gym or just out in public in general? I suppose #2 & 3 responses would help answer this question but wanted to ask it anyway.
You will NOT need to use gloves, no.

4. What is the possibility of infecting any other part of my own body (like my mouth or eye) in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd month, then 1st and 2nd year?
Once your infection is well established (about 4 months) it is very unlikely that you would transmit this to another location on your body.
your genital HSV 1 infection is also unlikely to shed often after 6 months and very very low risk after being infected for one year.

Terri

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