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Suggest Treatment For Genital Herpes

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Posted on Tue, 30 May 2017
Question: I want to know if I unknowingly had drainage on my hand or wrist as a healthcare provider and subsequently missed washing that area, can I contact genital herpes? I have been married for 25 years and never been unfaithful. Email: YYYY@YYYY
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please see the detailed answer below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello! I have been through your question.

Related your concern you should know that genital herpes is a highly contagious infection usually spread through intercourse, but it can be passed through oral or anal sex as well.
Furthermore herpes is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact with someone who is infected and you can get herpes from someone who has sores on his or her lips, skin or genitals. But, most of the time, herpes is spread when someone does not have any signs or symptoms. The herpes virus can still rub off a person's skin even when he or she has no sores that you can see.
HSV-2 cannot survive long on a non-living surface, so there is no real risk of getting it from a toilet seat or hot tub, for example.
There is also evidence of transmission of HSV to health-care workers from patients and from dental workers to patients.
Gloves are not a complete protection against this virus which can enter through small defects in the gloves and health-care workers can be contaminated during use or after the removal of gloves.

I hope my answer helps you.
Feel free to ask me further.
Regards.
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Monika Dede

Infectious Diseases Specialist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 1005 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Genital Herpes

Brief Answer: Please see the detailed answer below. Detailed Answer: Hello! I have been through your question. Related your concern you should know that genital herpes is a highly contagious infection usually spread through intercourse, but it can be passed through oral or anal sex as well. Furthermore herpes is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact with someone who is infected and you can get herpes from someone who has sores on his or her lips, skin or genitals. But, most of the time, herpes is spread when someone does not have any signs or symptoms. The herpes virus can still rub off a person's skin even when he or she has no sores that you can see. HSV-2 cannot survive long on a non-living surface, so there is no real risk of getting it from a toilet seat or hot tub, for example. There is also evidence of transmission of HSV to health-care workers from patients and from dental workers to patients. Gloves are not a complete protection against this virus which can enter through small defects in the gloves and health-care workers can be contaminated during use or after the removal of gloves. I hope my answer helps you. Feel free to ask me further. Regards.