HSV2 Transmission

[Tish125]

I was wondering how long hsv2 can survive on fingers.  Can it be spread to another part of the body, such as the face if a person is shedding or has a closed sore and a partner touches it and then later touches his/her face?

[Tish125]

If a hsv2 positive female is penetrated manually (partners fingers), can hsv2 be transmitted to her partners face, arm, leg, etc, if partner touches his own leg, arm, face before washing his hands?  How long will hsv2 survive on his fingers after contact?

[catinbarefeet]

I'm afraid we don't have enough information. First, how are you sure it's HSV-2? Have you had a lesion on your fingers swabbed? It's certainly possible that if you had a portal (cut, wound, tear) in your fingers, then touched an active HSV-2 lesion, the virus entered that way.

Herpes whitlow (on the hands and fingers) is usually caused by HSV-1, and is usually contracted when an uninfected person (say a dentist or other medical professional) touches a shedding place on an infected person's mouth. I suppose there's no reason to believe that this kind of thing can never happen with HSV-2, but it would be more likely to happen by touching a shedding place below the waist.

[Tish125]

Even if there is an active outbreak or shedding? Couldn't the virus on the finger be transferred to the persons face, arm, etc?

[Life360_Dave]

Hi HSV2 is a sexually transmitted virus bottom line. Questions as yours are common but unless there is some naked genital to genital rubbing and grinding its not a real issue.