Reply To: Hsv2 Outbreaks and Transmission

[Bartholemewstout]

Hi Terri,

Thanks for answering my initial questions. I’m hoping you could clear up a few follow-up questions I have.

1) You mentioned that there is “probably not” a chance for the virus to get out through my fingers even if there are hangnails (or cuticle wounds etc.). Does that mean it is not probable but still possible? From what I have read (including from your expertise), Herpetic whitlow does not shed when there are no visible sores. If it is not probable, but still possible, could you describe for me a situation where it might be able to get out even without visible sores?

2) Regarding question 2 on my prior post, your response suggests to me that if I did not suffer any oral or genital outbreak 2-10 days after my whitlow contraction then I can be confident it will not pop up there in the future. Is that right? There was genital sex
involved in the contact that gave me the whitlow, but protection was used.

3) Can the virus migrate to another site (i.e. genital or mouth region) other than the initial outbreak site through my nervous system? Or can it migrate through skin to skin contact only?

Thanks Terri,
Bartholemew