Herpetic Whitlow

[egn]

Hi Terri,
I used my fingers inside a woman who I know to have ghsv1. She had one outbreak 4 years ago and no known recurrent outbreaks. A few days later I noticed a painless bug bite/blister on the base of my middle finger. There was only one area in question it was not multiple and it did not look like any herpetic whitlow images I’ve seen.

One thing to note is that I had an open sore on the tip of the same finger from a hang nail and there is no indication there is any herpetic activity in that area which is where I would expect an issue to be if there was one.

If I press directly on the area in question there is zero pain/discomfort.

Does herpetic whitlow always cause pain and is there always multiple blisters?

Since the probability of spreading ghsv1 is low and the probability of herpetic whitlow is low so you recommend testing?

What would you expect to see in a primary herpetic whitlow outbreak?

Thank you.

[Terri Warren]

Yes, herpes whitlow, in my experience, is always quite remarkable.
I do not recommend testing.
Viral shedding of HSV 1 is limited to about 4 days per year when someone has been infected for two years. Less the farther out you go, likely.
I would expect, big water blisters on a very red base, lots of pain.

Terri

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