do i have the herpes virus ?

I was recently around someone that has genital herpes and I'm pretty sure she also had the on the knuckle of her thumb because she had what looked to be a scrap or scab. we were out one day and i think i may have accidently touched her hand. this was about a month ago and for the last 3 weeks I've had really bad on and off headaches and back aches. I'm thinking about going to get my blood tested. what should i do? im worried but mostly because i have a one year old son and i dont want to expose him.

[TiredOfGirlyProblems]

Seriously?!?!?
It's just screwed up to even ask that...

[jojoe39]

Why is that?? I'm not trying to offend anyone. My bestfriend has herpes.

[petal130]

If herpes were transmitted this easily, we'd all have it.

People who have genital herpes have it on their genitals, they're not a walking infection. Genital herpes is an STD and is transmitted by sex. Even then, it requires heat/friction - the virus needs to me "massaged" into the skin - hence why it's the act of sex that transmits (or, in oral herpes transmission, passionate kissing in adults).

[jojoe39]

Thank yu for that information. Ill admit I don't know much about herpes and I truly apologize. My intention were to offend anyone. I was just worried.

[gracefromHHP]

1 out of every 2-3 people you know has herpes orally.
1 out of every 4-5 people you know has genital herpes.

Herpes is incredibly common :)  Odds are you won't get through life without 1 type of herpes simplex yourself - check out the herpes info at www.ashastd.org to learn more :)

grace