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Accidental Herpes Transmission to a Child
Hi There
I'm a concerned Dad, and I wanted to ask a very specific question. I've read through a number of threads, and the remarks all seem to be very helpful, and sound very clear - but I want to be utterly black & white clear on one point, if that's okay ?
I don't know if I have herpes, actively or as a carrier, I just suspect, due to a chronic tingly itch around my scrotum.
I have three sons, and before I began to suspect, I had baths with my first son.
In the bath, he would sit on my belly and clap hands and laugh (it was awesome fun).
I'm very concerned that when I lifted him, or moved him around in the water, our genitals may have touched. Not firmly, not vigorously, no rubbing, but to be completely clear, I'm concerned my scrotal sac may have touched his. The contact was probably under water, but may even have been above the water level.
SO .. my question.
In the above scenario, if we put aside that I suspect I might have herpes, and suggest that I absolutely 100% do, is it possible, that by light, fleeting contact with my childs genitals, that I may have passed the condition to him. Some posts very flatly say no: it requires sex. I want to be 100% confident that there's no scope for a health concern for my child.
If there is the possibility of transmission, what can be done to confirm this - I read in one thread that it's there's no way to diagnose males unless they have an active outbreak ? Ive never seen lesions or sores on myself or him.
I'm really grateful. You're the most credible experts that I've found - I spoke to my own GP about my possibility of herpes and asked for diagnostic steps to be taken and they said there was nothing that could be done and gave me a vague leaflet to read. It was pretty useless in terms of education.
1) in the above scenario is it possible I could have transmitted the condition to my child ?
2) if that is the case, what can I do to ensure the minimum possible consequence to him & his life ?
Thank you !
This discussion is related to transmission question.
I'm a concerned Dad, and I wanted to ask a very specific question. I've read through a number of threads, and the remarks all seem to be very helpful, and sound very clear - but I want to be utterly black & white clear on one point, if that's okay ?
I don't know if I have herpes, actively or as a carrier, I just suspect, due to a chronic tingly itch around my scrotum.
I have three sons, and before I began to suspect, I had baths with my first son.
In the bath, he would sit on my belly and clap hands and laugh (it was awesome fun).
I'm very concerned that when I lifted him, or moved him around in the water, our genitals may have touched. Not firmly, not vigorously, no rubbing, but to be completely clear, I'm concerned my scrotal sac may have touched his. The contact was probably under water, but may even have been above the water level.
SO .. my question.
In the above scenario, if we put aside that I suspect I might have herpes, and suggest that I absolutely 100% do, is it possible, that by light, fleeting contact with my childs genitals, that I may have passed the condition to him. Some posts very flatly say no: it requires sex. I want to be 100% confident that there's no scope for a health concern for my child.
If there is the possibility of transmission, what can be done to confirm this - I read in one thread that it's there's no way to diagnose males unless they have an active outbreak ? Ive never seen lesions or sores on myself or him.
I'm really grateful. You're the most credible experts that I've found - I spoke to my own GP about my possibility of herpes and asked for diagnostic steps to be taken and they said there was nothing that could be done and gave me a vague leaflet to read. It was pretty useless in terms of education.
1) in the above scenario is it possible I could have transmitted the condition to my child ?
2) if that is the case, what can I do to ensure the minimum possible consequence to him & his life ?
Thank you !
This discussion is related to transmission question.
every parent should experience the fun of sitting in a tub of pee and/or poop with their child without worry :)
I am deeply deeply grateful, thank you.
I'm outside the US and have been given useless information to-date. I can now explore this blood test to definitively work out my own situation.
With regard to the welfare of my son, a huge weight has left my shoulders.
And it's because of you, your kindness, and the work that you do volunteering your expertise. I want you to understand how much help you've given me, just one person.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
I'm outside the US and have been given useless information to-date. I can now explore this blood test to definitively work out my own situation.
With regard to the welfare of my son, a huge weight has left my shoulders.
And it's because of you, your kindness, and the work that you do volunteering your expertise. I want you to understand how much help you've given me, just one person.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
if you are in the US, you can order up type specific herpes igg blood testing on your own through online providers like healthcheckusa and tstd. just make sure you order the type specific herpes igg blood testing, not the igm. outside of the US, you need a provider to do so, typically gov't run clinics don't offer it and you have to pay out of pocket.
if there was any risk at all to your situation, I would've specifically said so.
the mythology and worries is why I do volunteer my time to do this :)
if there was any risk at all to your situation, I would've specifically said so.
the mythology and worries is why I do volunteer my time to do this :)
Thank you, Grace
I went to get tested, but was told that it's not possible (by my doctor), that I had to have active lesions which would be swabbed.
Maybe there's a competence problem with my health professional. I'll definitely explore this, if there is a test I can do to know definitively one way or the other whether I have it, then I can make informed choices going forward. I was just told there isnt - and I then have to live with the gut-punching fear that I've negatively impacted my child through ignorance.
You made a comment generally that bathing in the tub with our kids is not a risk.
In my specific condition, where 'rude bits' might have lightly brushed across each other while lifting him around - to be clear - is it stupid to be concerned about transmission ?
I'll see my own doctor (or a different one) and ask again about definitive diagnoses for herpes - blood test or whatever - I did that the first time, and maybe just need to switch doctors.
Thanks very much for your comment, being an expert on a topic where there is so much mythology and so many worried people ---- that must be pretty annoying for you.
I went to get tested, but was told that it's not possible (by my doctor), that I had to have active lesions which would be swabbed.
Maybe there's a competence problem with my health professional. I'll definitely explore this, if there is a test I can do to know definitively one way or the other whether I have it, then I can make informed choices going forward. I was just told there isnt - and I then have to live with the gut-punching fear that I've negatively impacted my child through ignorance.
You made a comment generally that bathing in the tub with our kids is not a risk.
In my specific condition, where 'rude bits' might have lightly brushed across each other while lifting him around - to be clear - is it stupid to be concerned about transmission ?
I'll see my own doctor (or a different one) and ask again about definitive diagnoses for herpes - blood test or whatever - I did that the first time, and maybe just need to switch doctors.
Thanks very much for your comment, being an expert on a topic where there is so much mythology and so many worried people ---- that must be pretty annoying for you.
typically just itching in the genital area in males is jock itch, not herpes. if you've never had herpes igg blood testing done though by all means be sexually responsible and follow up on your status with testing for peace of mind and so you and future partners can make educated decisions about what precautions to take.
is bathing in the tub with our kids a risk? no it is not.
grace
is bathing in the tub with our kids a risk? no it is not.
grace
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
