herpetic whitlow how is it transmitted??

I think I may have herpetic whitlow on my pointer finger.  Its two small very painful and tender blisters which look almost like bug bites but they do not itch but they feel much like cold sores and are not open yet.

I have had HSV 1 orally for as long as I can remember.  When I was a child I frequently had outbreaks on my lip.  When I was 15 I had an outbreak on my nose and then again when I was 22 I had another outbreak on my nose.  Most of the time I get one outbreak per year on my lower lip, i may of had herpetic whitlow when I was 11 years old.    

I had a blood test for hsv 2 in 2008 and it was negative.  I have not had sexual intercourse since that time.  But  I have been having oral sex both receiving and giving with only one person whose std status is unknown besides knowing that he has oral herpes.  My last contact with this person was on jan 9 2010   and my symptoms started feb 21 2010

My questions:  

1.  I was reading the forum and it says whitlow usually is from an initial infection...I have had hsv 1 for years, is it still possible that this may be just hsv 1 on my finger?  

2.  Would I be able to get herpetic whitlow (hsv 2) from oral sex and minor genital touching on someone who didn't seem to be having any symtoms (symptoms)?  

3.  Would I have been more likely for me to have developed HSV 2 ORALLY rather than whitlow on my finger in this case???

4.  Also I work in a doctors office and a patient came into our office with herpetic whitlow (hsv type 2) on her fingers this dx is confirmed by culture of the lesions, she came in the begining of january 11 2010 .  Is it possible that I could have contracted this from this patient?  

   I have little contact maybe just by touching her credit card or a door handle she touched.  She had a very big open lesion.  I don't usually have open sores on my hands maybe just  a paper cut or dry hands from washing often.  

[gracefromHHP]

the best thing to do is to be seen promptly for this and if they suspect whitlow, it needs a culture to confirm.

meanwhile keep it covered when at work with a band aid.

you didn't get whitlow from touching someone's credit card or a door handle. it doesn't transmit that easily by no means.

grace