Ocular Herpes Worry

[Bentru]

Last week I had a job interview. The first person I interviewed in the office shook my hand and had an active cold sore on her lip. I didn't think anything of it since I heard HPV is not spread through shaking hands. However, I began to get a little bit concered because during the interview the woman kept putting her right hand on her face and touching the sore. So there was a high probability that the woman had recently touched her cold sore before shaking my hand. I have really dry eyes and I have to take eye drops every few hours. I had to interview with other people after this lady in the office and wasn't able to wash my hands until everything was over two hours later. After that first  interview I needed to put drops in my eyes. I always carry WetOnes antibacterial wipes with my to use before I put the drops in because I use both hand. One to hold my eye open and the other for the eye drops. The wipes contain Benzethonium Chloride to kills the germs. I am concerned about it because I already have a lot of eye problems.

1. Is there a chance if she touch her very active cold sore shortly before shaking my hands that the herpes could have gotten on my hand and had a chance to affect my eye area while putting in the drops?

2. Would  the antibacterial wipe have killed the herpes if it was on my hand?

[Bentru]

Sorry I meant HSV. So you would still thinks its fine to wear my contacts right?

[JohnHaganMD]

You need to direct that question to the optometrist or ophthalmologist that fit your contacts.

[JohnHaganMD]

First you don't mean HPV which is human papillomavirus which cause genital warts. Fever blisters are herpes simplex type 1 (HSV1).  Second relax the likelihood of getting a HSV of the eye from the contact you mention is remote (thankfully)  JCH MD