Herpes question

[Island_man1]

I just have a quick question about herpes transmission. It might sound ridiculous but I'm really confused. I know herpes can be transmitted from skin to skin contact but what I'd like to know is does this mean any where on the body or is it only limited to the genitals area ? I mean if I touch the private area of a woman and she has HSV, is there any risk of me catching it from JUST touching here there and if not, how is it that the virus is only transmitted thru skin to skin contact (of genitals) and not other areas on the body? Just curious since skin is skin.

 

[Health Nurse]

I just have a quick question about herpes transmission. It might sound ridiculous but I'm really confused. I know herpes can be transmitted from skin to skin contact but what I'd like to know is does this mean any where on the body or is it only limited to the genitals area ? I mean if I touch the private area of a woman and she has HSV, is there any risk of me catching it from JUST touching here there and if not, how is it that the virus is only transmitted thru skin to skin contact (of genitals) and not other areas on the body? Just curious since skin is skin.

Hi Island_man1

Good question.

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) can be transmitted to any part of the body. It eventually lies dormant in nerve cells.

The thing with HSV is that it can only gain entry through a weak spot in the skin or a mucous membrane (which doesn't have the hard outer layer of skin). Mucous membranes like the lining of the mouth, inside of nose, urethra in guys, rectum, vagina and the inside of the inner labia minora (small lips).

The skin of the hand has a strong outer layer which the HSV cannot get through unless you have a break in the skin. A common area to have a break in the skin on the hands is around the finger nails e.g. Hang nails, biting the nails. A herpes infection on the finger tips is called herpes whitlow and is something you used to see on dentist and health care workers doing mouth care until gloves were used.

Another way to get breaks in skin is from the act of sex, with the genitals grinding together you end up with little microscopic tears on the skin which allows the virus to get into the body.

To answer your question if you were fingering a woman who had HSV and you had a cut on your hand I guess it could pass to your finger. The reason it is not passed from contact with other body parts is that these body parts typically don't come in contact with the mouth/genitals or the skin is thick enough that we don't see HSV passing.

To summarize

(1) HSV can infect any part of the outside body.

(2) For HSV to spread you must come in contact with an area that could have HSV on it. Given how HSV typically spreads this area is usually around the mouth or the genital area.

(3) After coming in contact with HSV, the virus needs to enter the body, it can't get through unbroken skin so it tends to get in the body through the weaker mucous membrane or through broken skin.


Let me know if this does not make sense.


HN
www.healthnurse.wordpress.com
www.stiresource.com
www.bccdc.ca

 

[Island_man1]

Thanks for the reply, health nurse. I was surprised no one could answer my question here, until now. Is it possible that no one could've thought of this question ? Do people assume they won't get herpes unless they have actual sexual intercourse and that's why no one thought of this question or even answering it ? Well, I'm glad I did ask because I honestly wasn't too sure about the answer. I used to think herpes was only transmitted thru unprotected intercourse until I found out that wasn't the case. Of course now I know a mere grinding of the genital areas -even with a condom- is all it takes sometimes. But I just wanted to know if it was possible for the virus to get into the body thru any other parts of the body too.

So, assuming there are no cuts of any kind on the fingers or hands and the fingers don't come in touch immediately with the mouth, eyes... is then safe to say it's impossible for the virus to enter the body just from the skin of the hand ?

Thanks again.

 

[aznbabes]

What are the risks for getting HSV from kissing someone's body (non-genital areas) and licking/sucking on nipple?

 

[Health Nurse]

Thanks for the reply, health nurse. I was surprised no one could answer my question here, until now. Is it possible that no one could've thought of this question ? Do people assume they won't get herpes unless they have actual sexual intercourse and that's why no one thought of this question or even answering it ? Well, I'm glad I did ask because I honestly wasn't too sure about the answer. I used to think herpes was only transmitted thru unprotected intercourse until I found out that wasn't the case. Of course now I know a mere grinding of the genital areas -even with a condom- is all it takes sometimes. But I just wanted to know if it was possible for the virus to get into the body thru any other parts of the body too.

So, assuming there are no cuts of any kind on the fingers or hands and the fingers don't come in touch immediately with the mouth, eyes... is then safe to say it's impossible for the virus to enter the body just from the skin of the hand ?

Thanks again.

Hi island_man1

From the example you have given I don’t like to use the word impossible.

There could always be a chance there is a small cut in the skin that goes unnoticed and could allow the virus in.

At the same time I have never seen a client come in with a herpes infection on their hand/fingers from having sex. I have only heard of one occasion in the clinic of a massage therapist getting a type 2 herpes outbreak on the hand.

I think it would be safe to say that if someone has no noticeable cuts on their hand and they come in contact with the herpes virus that it is very unlikely that transmission will take place.

HN
www.healthnurse.wordpress.com
www.stiresource.com
www.bccdc.ca

 

[Health Nurse]

What are the risks for getting HSV from kissing someone's body (non-genital areas) and licking/sucking on nipple?

Hi aznbabes

I can’t see there being a risk to the herpes simplex virus (HSV) by kissing someone’s body. For there to be a risk you would need to be kissing an area that could be shedding the virus. The two most common areas would be around the mouth or around the genitals.

The main risk would be to the person that was being kissed. For example if a person had a herpes/cold sore on their mouth and kissed a persons nipple, there could be a chance of the virus going in if there was a cut or break in the skin.

I am not sure what the exact risk of this would be but at the same time I have never seen anyone with a herpes outbreak on their nipple.

HSV is a very common infection.

Two things you can do to reduce the spread of HSV:

1. Don’t have sex while having a herpes outbreak.
2. Using a condom.

HN
www.healthnurse.wordpress.com
www.stiresource.com
www.bccdc.ca