Herpes

[Bertotto]

I just found out three day's ago I have genitail herpes, i am only 22. I have a 2 year old son. This is my first outbreak. I am very scared of passing this to my son. I freak out over everything! I think I have blisters trying to come up on my bottom lip not sure I have been taking some fever blister meds. I have a rash that has come up on my hands and lower arms does that have anything to do with the herpes virus? If my son touches my hands or arms will it pass the herpes virus to him.Do I need to wipe the tub and toilet down after I use it. And the rash on my hands if I touch my sons food will it pass it to him?  I am very scared for my childs well being please help me with my questions. Would be greatfully appreciated.

[gracefromHHP]

it's doubtful that all of this is herpes related. Certainly be seen for the rash on your hands and forearms to find out what  is going on. Many rashes are contagious so finding out the cause will be helpful for your anxiety in general.

You can treat genital herpes for under $20. Ask your provider to change your prescription to generic  acyclovir and to call it into walmart if you don't have insurance with good prescription coverage.   If they ordered you any acyclovir cream, don't fill that one - it''s useless for genital herpes and not much help for oral herpes either.  

grace

[Bertotto]

Okay, thank you very much for your time and information, greatly appreciated!

[castello80]

If it's frequent tingling coupled with pain then this could be whitlow. To be safe, I would cover it up until you see your physician, but that's being pretty cautious. Applying destin to your genital sores could have spread it to your fingers if this is your first herpes outbreak, but autoinoculation is quite rare. If this isn't your first outbreak then you really aren't at risk for spreading herpes to any other part of your body. Herpes outbreaks differ for everyone, but it's typical for HSV-2 to recur 3-6 times annually. If this really is whitlow, which it doesn't really sound like, then you could give this to your son by touching his eyes, nose, mouth, and other mucus membranes during an outbreak. The other parts of the body's skin are rather thick in comparison to the mouth and genitals.

[Bertotto]

On my left thumb i have a tingling sinsation sometimes. When I squeeze my thumb together or apart it kinda looks like there are little bumps, but idk should i cover it up just in case? I have been trying to avoid as best as possible touching my son with this thumb just in case. Before I went to the er and found out I had herpes, I was applying destin to the affected area with my hands and fingers. Could this have spread it to my fingers or hands? I washed my hands after I touched the affected area everytime, and have been very cautious to wash them anytime I use the restroom or check the area. How often do you usually have an outbreak. When I got checked at the er, the docotor gave me meds but it was 145.00 to pick it up. I do not have that kind of money so have not been taking any meds for my outbreak. Just washing everyday. Could I spread the breakout by washing down there? Like I said previously I am very scared that I will pass this to my son. My rash on my hands and arms will look better at some points and then come back up looking worse or just red and dotty in some places? If this is herpes on my fingers can I give it to my son even without an outbbreak? Very worried mother! Thank you for your answers, greatly appreciated!

[castello80]

During your first outbreak, autoinoculation can occur (spreading HSV to other parts of the body through touching an open sore then touching another part of the body), but this is extremely rare. If you have the same virus orally and genitally then you're not at a risk for spreading this to yourself at all.

The rash on your lower arms and hands doesn't sound like herpes. Herpes whitlow is something that can happen and it develops on the tips of the fingers with painful and obvious blisters; the rash you describe doesn't sound concerning. Having herpes on the arm is extremely, extremely rare. I really do not think the rash on your hands is associated with herpes, but if you become more concerned then you can see your physician to have them swabbed. If they don't turn into painful, throbbing, and obvious blisters on the fingertips/fingers then it's unlikely to be herpetic whitlow.

Your son isn't at risk for herpes by touching your arms because this is most likely a rash; not whitlow. Touching your son's food isn't a concern for transmission either nor is the bathtub or toilet. Just avoid kissing your son directly on the lips when you have an obvious cold sore.