Possible hand infection?

[dumbanddumber]

Dear Dr.
19 days ago I fingered a girl (including rubbing her clitoris for several minutes), and placed my finger in her mouth.  I had no known cuts on my finger at the time, but my hands are normally quite dry.  Approximately 5 or 6 days ago (14 days after exposure), I started feeling significant tingling/numbness on my entire arm/hand, possible swelling, and on my fingers.  I've been worried about getting something from this incident, but I have tried to keep my mind at ease.  The tingling and minor pains have continued and are now also impacting my other hand and arm periodically.  What is strange is the pains/tingling come and go.  There is what I believe to be a small bump next to my nail on the middle finger, but it isn't red.  Does this sound like a Herpes Whitlow infection to you?  I have not had a fever, or experienced any lesions based on the pictures I've seen, but I have also read that most herpes infections don't show any outward symptoms.  This of course is contradictory to the online material that states that primary herpes infections are vicious, painful affairs.  Additional questions:
1.  I am very concerned about spreading what ever I have from shaking hands with people.  Is this a realistic possibility?
2.  Is this entire thing psychological?  It is very hard to tell for me as the symptoms feel entirely real.  The fact that it isn't consistent though is strange.

Thank again for your response to my concerns.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Your description sounds entirely psychological.  These pains are not at all consistent with herpetic whitlow, which is indeed a 'vicious, painful affair.'  With no visible lesions you are hardly in a position to spread anything to anyone.  I'd suggest you go to a doctor, but since you have nothing to show the doctor, there seems little point even in doing that, unless it;s to get additional reassurance.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[dumbanddumber]

Dear Dr. Rockoff,

Here is a brief update and a few additional questions:  Day 20 post exposure - tingling in my hands has decreased quite a bit, but I still feel continued dull pain/numbness in my index finger (same finger used in the act described above).  The pain/numbness appears to periodically impact my middle finger as well on the same hand.  A few additional quesitons:

1.  Is it true that Herpes Whitlow transmission when no lesions are present is not as big of a concern due to the fact that the skin on hands is significantly thicker therefore reducing the potential for asymptomatic viral shedding?

2.  Is there a difference in Herpes Whitlow communicability based on the specific strain of Herpes virus you are infected with?  In other words, is it better to get HSV 1 vs. HSV 2 or vice versa?

Thanks again for your help.

Warm Regards,

Dumb & Dumber

[alpaca]

I have no clue whether this is even possible with the symptoms you describe. I'm guessing not, but the Dr. can tell you. I imagine it is rather hard to transmit herpes in this way. As someone who has some anxiety myself, I think it is highly likely this is all about your worry about catching something and guilt about sex and that there is nothing wrong at all with your finger.