Looking for Rational Information

[FactSeeker]

Hi,

I thought I posted this earlier, but it doesn’t seem to have gone through. I know I have an irrational fear of cold sores, so I am looking to find some concrete information from a knowledgeable source such as yourself. Here are my questions:

– I know that you can get HSV1 from kissing. And I know the virus can shed when there is no visible outbreak and salvia can transmit the virus as well. What is the likelihood of transmitting the virus from sharing food? I know there is a possibility, but the online sources made it seem like highly communicable that way.

– Since HSV1 can be transmitted through saliva, what is the likelihood of contracting the virus if someone accidentally spits on your lips?

– How likely is it to transmit HSV1 if someone with a sore touches it and then shakes your hand?

– Can you contract the virus from an inanimate object like a pen or a doorknob if someone with an outbreak touches their sore right before touching the object?

– I am terrified that my daughter (2.5 years old) will get the virus (she’s in daycare so I imagine she might already have it) and rub her eyes or genitals and infect herself in these places. Is there anything I can do to protect her more? Is this kind of re-infection likely?

– My daughter also sucks her thumb at night. If she were to have the virus, I imagine she might be herpetic whitlow. Does that lead to outbreaks for the rest of her life on her hands? How then would she not transmit the virus to other parts of her body or other people?

Thanks!

[Terri Warren]

– I know that you can get HSV1 from kissing. And I know the virus can shed when there is no visible outbreak and salvia can transmit the virus as well. What is the likelihood of transmitting the virus from sharing food? I know there is a possibility, but the online sources made it seem like highly communicable that way.

I have no concerns about transmitting herpes via food,none.

– Since HSV1 can be transmitted through saliva, what is the likelihood of contracting the virus if someone accidentally spits on your lips?

Zero. Saliva alone with no tissue around it is extremely unlikely to transmit virus.

– How likely is it to transmit HSV1 if someone with a sore touches it and then shakes your hand?

Zero

– Can you contract the virus from an inanimate object like a pen or a doorknob if someone with an outbreak touches their sore right before touching the object?

Zero

– I am terrified that my daughter (2.5 years old) will get the virus (she’s in daycare so I imagine she might already have it) and rub her eyes or genitals and infect her
Is there anything I can do to protect her more? Is this kind of re-infection likely?

No, there is nothing to do. And if autoinoculation as you describe it was common in this way, we would see lots of kids with genital HSV 1. We don’t.

– My daughter also sucks her thumb at night. If she were to have the virus, I imagine she might be herpetic whitlow. Does that lead to outbreaks for the rest of her life on her hands? How then would she not transmit the virus to other parts of her body or other people?

Again,once the virus is established in one location it is extremely unlikely to get it in a new location on your body. Again, if this was a common thing, we will see lots of kids with herpes on their hands and we do not

.Terri

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