worried about herpes type 2

[worried925]

Dear Doctor,
Last night I had friends over. I believe one of them may have herpes type 2. She asked to use the restroom. About 20 min after they left I wiped the toilet seat and flusher down with lysol disinfecting wipes a few times. Firstly, I'm am partially worried that I exposed myself to the virus through the cleaning? I have very dry hands, occasionally i get cuts on them. I did not use gloves. I am  concerned it could have entered through a small cut on my hand. I am also of course worried that I could contact it genitally by siting on the toilet itself. Am I at risk to contracting herpes type 2 due to this?

~Worried

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

That concern was obvious and I saw this comment before I replied above.  Although this forum doesn't make psychological diagnoses, "excessive paranoia" is your term -- and it seems it might fit.  If you continue to be concerned about such exposures, it might be wise to seek counseling.  People with normal thought processes do not have these fears.  I suggest it out of compassion, not criticism.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome back to the STD forum.

Based on 3 or 4 questions on this forum (going back to 2007), you are inappropriately worried about nonsexual transmission of HSV.  It is time for you to learn and remember this simpe fact:  No sex, no genital herpes and no HSV-2.  Period.  It is not transmissible via toilet seats or otherwise by contamination of the environment.  There are no exceptions.  You are not in the slightest risk from the events you describe here.

HHH, MD

[worried925]

Forgot to add: Just wanted to stress that i am concerned about contracting the virus genitally from the cleaning. I washed my hands after and I went to use  another bathroom in the house. Of course, I'm worried i did not wash my hands good enough. I am sorry for the excessive paranoia.