Questions about the Herpes Simplex Virus for Dr. Rockoff.

Dear Dr. Rockoff,

I dated a girl a while back that was infected with the Herpes Simplex Virus during a previous relationship.  The infected area was inside her vagina.  Her & I never had intercourse, never performed oral sex on each other, and never had any genital-to-genital contact.  

My concern is that my fingers and fingernails touched fresh vaginal fluid that was on her skin just outside her vagina.  About 5-10 seconds later those same fingers touched the skin of my penis while I was in my bathroom urinating.

Assuming that she was shedding the herpes simplex virus at that time.  Is it at all possible for herpes simplex virus to be transmitted to me if my fingers or fingernails (with the infected vaginal fluid on them), touched, rubbed, or scratched the skin of my penis?

Just how fragile is the Herpes Simplex Virus?

How quickly does the Herpes Simplex Virus die once it leaves the vagina?

Much of the information about this is vague.  Some information out there states that the Herpes Simplex Virus is infectious for a couple minutes outside the vagina, while other information seems to suggest that it will die immediately once outside the vagina.

Thank you
JerseyGuy

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

My answer is that transmission through finger contact is theoretically possible, but very unlikely.  I also have seen different and confusing data on how long the herpes virus lasts off the body.  Once in a while an article comes out saying that it can be found still alive on towels and so forth, which could theoretically result in spread.  But whether this ever happens in real life, who knows?  After all, if someone has genital sex, and one of the partners had herpes before (and may not even know it), low-level viral shedding can take place and spread the infection.  So if someone comes down with herpes, they can in most cases never really know where it came from and how long ago.

The bottom line is that the kind of contact you had is almost certain to have not spread the virus.  So I wouldn't worry.  And if you get a suspicious outbreak on the penis, check it out, just as you would do anyway.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[jabs]

iam 26.i experienced that my penis has got a white part on the rear shaft of it. iam black and concerned about these since i had it for 15 years.my sexual organ works well but is there any thing wrong with me?there is no itching or pain or any discharge.