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Is Herpes contagious to family members?
My 60 year old Mother was just diagnosed with Type 1 and 2 Herpes. She is having a rough time since she got this from her husband of 20 years so I hate to be selfish but I need help. Can I get this from her? She is my best friend and I am with her everyday. More important, she babysits my 3 year old daughter for me so I can work. Can my 3 year old get it from her as well?? I hear so many things such as shedding so I am confused and scared. I do not want to cut her out of our lives. Please help me! P.S. She has never had a symptom or cold sore on her mouth and was diagnosed from a genital outbreak and a blood test.
Best Answer
Yes these number came directly from the Lab Report. I just copied and pasted it. Is this not normal?
I will do that asap. Thank you. I am just very lost right now and I am trying to be supportive for my Mom.
Hi Elizabeth,
If you get some time, google Westover Heights - Herpes Handbook. It's a great book and will answer many of your questions and then you can decide for yourself.
Im not sure where you got these numbers but i find it odd that both are 5. Is this the lab report?
So overall are we at risk of contracting Herpes 1 and 2? Should I remove my daughter from her care?
Try to post the test results here and your still suggesting she did not have a type specific test as you mentioned it totaled greater then 5. Its really important to clarify this, Most labs dont take the time to give the information that is needed. I really suspect she only has hsv1.
Shedding for all practical purposes would be at risk for those that have sex with her. She could have it orally but is reallly not common as hsv2 prefers the genital gangalia.
Shedding for all practical purposes would be at risk for those that have sex with her. She could have it orally but is reallly not common as hsv2 prefers the genital gangalia.
She tested high positive for both HSV1 and 2. There is no doubt she has them both, I believe they were both greater than 5. So we are at risk due to shedding of contracting genital herpes?
Hi, tell us more about the test results and would be good if you could post them here. She might fall into the low positive for the hsv2 and would require further testing to verify. The only real test to confirm positive is a swab from a sore take within 48 hours after it appears.
Also dont be fearful that you daughter will contact hsv1 genital herpes as suggested above as this is not common at all as hsv1 prefers the oral ganglia and contracting from hand to genital makes it even more unlikely. I feel that even suggesting this is way out of line. The most predomint way hsv1 is spread to the genitals is through oral sex bottom line.
Also the comment about hsv2 being safely locked in her genital is not correct either (if she infact has it) but can surface during shedding at any given time Its no in her genital either but has travelled through her nerves through her sacrual ganglia and is in her lower spine (if she infact has it).
Also dont be fearful that you daughter will contact hsv1 genital herpes as suggested above as this is not common at all as hsv1 prefers the oral ganglia and contracting from hand to genital makes it even more unlikely. I feel that even suggesting this is way out of line. The most predomint way hsv1 is spread to the genitals is through oral sex bottom line.
Also the comment about hsv2 being safely locked in her genital is not correct either (if she infact has it) but can surface during shedding at any given time Its no in her genital either but has travelled through her nerves through her sacrual ganglia and is in her lower spine (if she infact has it).
I know it seems difficult, but well over 60% of the population have HSV-1. Your Mum has probably had HSV-1 since she was a little girl herself. It is sufficient to ask her to be careful if she has an outbreak and generally avoid any lip kissing, sucking on face etc.
I don't mean to be pessimistic, but absent a vaccine, your daughter is very likely to contract a HSV-1 infection at some point in her life. Maybe now on her face, when she starts school or maybe on her genitals later. Obviously all reasonable precautions should be taken but if she contracts it, then you simply can't feel bad about that.
Your mother's HSV-2 is safely locked away in her genitals and of no risk whatsoever with standard hygiene practices.
I don't mean to be pessimistic, but absent a vaccine, your daughter is very likely to contract a HSV-1 infection at some point in her life. Maybe now on her face, when she starts school or maybe on her genitals later. Obviously all reasonable precautions should be taken but if she contracts it, then you simply can't feel bad about that.
Your mother's HSV-2 is safely locked away in her genitals and of no risk whatsoever with standard hygiene practices.
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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.
If I were you, I wouldn't think twice about your decision. Your Mom needs your support now more than ever and that would really devastate her if you found another child care provider.
If the threat of passing on HSV1 and HSV2 through daily interaction, we would all be locked up.