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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Gential Herpes

Posted on Tue, 3 Oct 2017

Question: I've had gential herpes for 5 years. I get most of my ob on my thigh.i try my best to keep it cover. the other day I was breastfeeding my 1yr old and when she got done her foot may have come in contact with a affected are on my thigh as she kicked the cover off that I had covering it.. may I add I also breastfeed her in hope of giving her antibodies of the virus through the milk. I'm so scared i feel awful as I do not want to give this virus to her. do I need to take her in for testing. I will call her doctor tomorrow just looking for a little insight before I begin to to search the net for answer

Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Don't get overly worried, just wash the suspected contact area

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for asking on this platform
I can understand your concern.
Herpes infection is primarily spread through sexual contact but touching the affected area having active infection may also lead to its spread although the chances are comparitively less.
As you are having this infection for last 5 years and assuming that you are already getting treatment I would like to know if still there is any active lesion.
If there is no active lesion chances are further very less.
Just now what I would suggest you to wash the contacted body part.
It is really difficult to detect whether the baby has got infected at this time.
You can continue breast feed but try to avoid direct touch of the affected area as you are the primary care giver or better avoid feeding if you have active lesions to prevent inadvertent transmission of infection.

I hope this helps.
Please let me know if you have any more questions.
Wishing for good health of your baby.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (10 minutes later)

the ob is practically gone but not all the way. I'm not even sure if she came in direct contact. I just seen that that area was no longer covered and foot was near by. I only have about 2 ob a year on my thigh so I'm not on medication. I really good with washing my hands and keeping that area covered. it was just this one mishap. I immediately washed her foot and leg

Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Don't get worried and just take care in future

Detailed Answer:
Hi

It is really good to know that you are taking all those protective measures to avoid the spread of infection. As the active lesions are not extensive you need not to get anxious.
Just don't get worried as even with transient contact which you are not sure about, spread of infection is very remote.
So just don't be anxious and continue these protective measures.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (9 minutes later)

thank you Doctor. although it's really hard for me to not worry about this.i will keep a eye on her. and call her doc . also do I still pass antibodies to her through breastmilk of virus to help protect her?

Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Antibodies are transferred to baby from mother

Detailed Answer:
As there is infection for last 5 years, you must have developed antibodies to it. It has been seen that herpes antibodies get transferred from mother to baby. So in your case too the antibodies will get transferred.
All the best
With regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar