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HSV-2 Herpetic Whitlow: Expert Advice Needed
I had initially contracted Herpetic Whitlow from stimulating a former sexual partner with a torn cuticle on my middle finger in Late January of 2016. That soon progressed to have severe swelling, with unpoppable blisters shortly there afterwords in early to middle of Feburuary. At the time I didn't realize what it was until I had recurrent outbreak that was NOT at the initial site of infection, as in it spread to the knuckle below, before it was just above the knuckle. After the blister had opened on its own and exposed an ulcer, I had a PCR Swab Culture Test done on the affected ulcer, and my Doctor confirmed that it was positive for HSV-2 Herpetic Whitlow. The infected area has been red/purplish up until recently where it has gone down in severity of color. But it seems I have Scars where blisters once were as well. My question for the Forum is this:
1.) I always engaged in protected Sex with this partner before, and never saw an outbreak in the genital region. Does this mean that my herpes infection is limited to my finger, or could this mean that I have Genital Herpes as well? (Keep in mind I've never had Oral HSV-1, so my immunity was none.)
2.) Even if it is just limited to my finger, does this mean I could possibly shed the virus from my genitals even without outbreaks since I still have the virus?
3.) Would a Urethral PCR Swab Culture Test be an accurate indicator of viral shedding from my genitals?
4.) Is there anything I can do about the Blister Scars and the Pinkish Tone to the skin on my finger? I can live with having herpetic whitlow, but having it shown so easily is what I'm most ashamed of.
5.) I've read that HSV-2 infections tend to recur a lot more than HSV-1 infection, but is that only applied for when one has an HSV-2 infection in the Genital Region only? Or should I expect to have more recurrences?
6.) Granted if there are no more active leisons in my finger once they've fully healed, can I still put others at risk of contracting HSV-2 through my finger through casual contact? Like prolonged hand holding, handling infants, massaging other people, etc.?
Please, please, please help me out everyone. I'm new to Herpes and it's been leaving me bed ridden ever since my diagnosis. I stress out about it practically everyday, and I really need advice. Thank you for your time.
1.) I always engaged in protected Sex with this partner before, and never saw an outbreak in the genital region. Does this mean that my herpes infection is limited to my finger, or could this mean that I have Genital Herpes as well? (Keep in mind I've never had Oral HSV-1, so my immunity was none.)
2.) Even if it is just limited to my finger, does this mean I could possibly shed the virus from my genitals even without outbreaks since I still have the virus?
3.) Would a Urethral PCR Swab Culture Test be an accurate indicator of viral shedding from my genitals?
4.) Is there anything I can do about the Blister Scars and the Pinkish Tone to the skin on my finger? I can live with having herpetic whitlow, but having it shown so easily is what I'm most ashamed of.
5.) I've read that HSV-2 infections tend to recur a lot more than HSV-1 infection, but is that only applied for when one has an HSV-2 infection in the Genital Region only? Or should I expect to have more recurrences?
6.) Granted if there are no more active leisons in my finger once they've fully healed, can I still put others at risk of contracting HSV-2 through my finger through casual contact? Like prolonged hand holding, handling infants, massaging other people, etc.?
Please, please, please help me out everyone. I'm new to Herpes and it's been leaving me bed ridden ever since my diagnosis. I stress out about it practically everyday, and I really need advice. Thank you for your time.
Guess it's only a matter of time then. Meanwhile, I will get that testing done and visit my Derm again. Thank you so much man!
1. i doubt it
2. herpes should not scar
3. get the igg for blood test not the igm.
2. herpes should not scar
3. get the igg for blood test not the igm.
Thank you so much for your answers, definitely gave me peace of mind. Since I know I got it from stimulating her vagina, and always used a barrier for my penis so I guess I would've seen something by now, unless if there's another way to test for that. I saw a Derm and I guess she told me the pinkish skin just goes away over time, so I guess time will tell on that one. Also have had the genital region checked out by 3 physicians, they all told me I look fine down there.
I have a couple of follow-up questions, though:
1.) I do smoke a lot of cigarettes daily, do you think that has something to do with the scarring or anything?
2.) I did really, REALLY try to pop the blisters in the early stages before I knew what they were, does that factor into the affected skin and the scars?
3.) Should I still get Herpes IGG and IGM to confirm the diagnosis?
Unless they lied to me about the PCR Swab test, I have no idea what it could be otherwise.
I have a couple of follow-up questions, though:
1.) I do smoke a lot of cigarettes daily, do you think that has something to do with the scarring or anything?
2.) I did really, REALLY try to pop the blisters in the early stages before I knew what they were, does that factor into the affected skin and the scars?
3.) Should I still get Herpes IGG and IGM to confirm the diagnosis?
Unless they lied to me about the PCR Swab test, I have no idea what it could be otherwise.
Hi, the first thing you need to do is confirm he has hsv2 and if he does:
1. most likely only your hand area.
2. No as its only in your finger ganglion nerve which is different then the genital ganglion.
3. if you do have hsv2 it would be rare inside the urethra and swabbing the outside genital area for shedding is a shot in the dark and youd need to do it multiple times. The more you swab the more chances youd find it..
4.It should not be leaving scars but if it is you might talk to a derm about this.
5. yes thats more for genital hsv. whitlow rarely outbreaks.
6. whitlow doesnot shed and only contagious with an active open sore.
1. most likely only your hand area.
2. No as its only in your finger ganglion nerve which is different then the genital ganglion.
3. if you do have hsv2 it would be rare inside the urethra and swabbing the outside genital area for shedding is a shot in the dark and youd need to do it multiple times. The more you swab the more chances youd find it..
4.It should not be leaving scars but if it is you might talk to a derm about this.
5. yes thats more for genital hsv. whitlow rarely outbreaks.
6. whitlow doesnot shed and only contagious with an active open sore.
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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.
