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Hepatic whitlow

Hello,
I recently acquired herpatic whitlow (three fingers) after fingering a girl who it turned had just contracted herpes and was not showing (or aware) (how unlucky right). It's recurred straight away. On oral antivirals, in touch with my GP.

How will this affect my sexual life going forward? I like to have multiple partners.

Much appreciated,
Steve
Ps also got it as a cold sore/ herpatic gingivitis
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Avatar universal
In response to your comment "I like to have multiple partners", I would hope you are always using condoms. When engaging in sex with numerous partners, herpes should be the least of your concerns.

I'm unclear if you already had cold sores and then acquired this new infection on your finger,  herpetic gingivostomatitis would imply a primary infection. Did you get the virus typed?
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Very kind of you to reply.
Yes, condoms absolutely without fail. It would appear to have saved me here from contracting genital herpes, as we had sex.
I have never had a cold sore before this experience. It came soon after the fingers. Either due to cunnilingus I guess, or I am aware I touched my lip with an infected finger.
I haven't had it typed. My GP told me there wasn't much point as there's not much point really. Do you disagree?
The recurred infection has now settled after about a week.
I want to be super careful about not passing it on even when no outbreak if that is a thing. But I don't want to give up any future sex life.
Best regards and thanks again,
Steve
Yeah, I do disagree with your doctor. I would want it typed so that I know which strain, 1 or 2, that I am infected with. It matters. They have different implications moving forward for you. If hsv1, then the vast majority of people you meet are going to already be infected. If hsv2, most people you meet will not be infected. Also, you should expect asymptomatic shedding to be different for each strain. In the oral area, hsv1 is expected to shed much more than hsv2, thus, making you more likely to infect an uninfected partner. Bottom line: I'd get it typed so you know what to expect.
Also, if you're infected with hsv1, you can still be infected with hsv2, and vice versa.
OK, thank you for your advice.
Ok well I just asked my partner and she very kindly and promptly came back to say she has type 1 genital herpes, so my working assumption would be that's what I got too (though not genital, as I say).
So that likes living on the lips right? But as you say super common, that's good.
Any news on the whitlow side of things. I hear it's pretty rare. I wonder if it likes living there. General vibe i get is that recurrence is generally unlikely but can happen and multiply.
Thanks for your help with this.
Ok well I just asked my partner and she very kindly and promptly came back to say she has type 1 genital herpes, so my working assumption would be that's what I got too (though not genital, as I say).
So that likes living on the lips right? But as you say super common, that's good.
Any thoughts on the whitlow side of things? I hear it's pretty rare as a condition. I wonder if it likes living there. General vibe i get is that recurrence is generally unlikely but can happen and multiple times.
Thanks for your help with this.
Hsv1 normally infects the oral area but can infect the genital area.  Whether the Whitlow recurs? Time will tell. You are still susceptible to a hsv2 infection.
Thank you, sir. Been really helpful.
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