Is it possible to contract herpes this way? (skin contact)

[germophobe616]

Hello.

I should start off by saying that I am a germophobe with OCD tendencies, so I might just be overreacting.

Today, I had an exam with my doctor (for an unrelated issue), and I noticed my doctor had a wound on his bottom lip. I think it might have been a cold sore. We shook hands and he examined me (without gloves), touching my skin. When I got home I washed my hands and took a shower. I also had to take out my contact lenses.

My question is: is it possible to contract herpes this way? By him touching my skin? I don't know if he touched the sore before, but assuming he did (since people touch their faces all the time)? I shaved this morning, so there might have been minuscule cuts on my skin. Also the skin on my hands is a little broken.

Also, assuming the virus was 'on' my skin, could I have transferred it to my eyes whilst taking my contact lenses out? I did wash my hands thoroughly before doing so, of course.

I have never had a cold sore before, so I don't really know what to expect. I'm just really terrified about it getting to my eyes.

Thank you for looking at my question. I know I might be overreacting (and feel free to tell me so), but I'm sure anyone with germophobia or OCD will understand why I am stressing out. I just can't help it.

Love.

[auntiejessi]

Hi - yes, you are for sure overreacting. :)

First, if herpes was this easy to transmit, every single person would have it. You'd have it already.

Second, assuming he had a cold sore (and not a pimple or a burn or whatever), and he touched his lip, then sometime later, he shook your hand, if there was virus on his hand, it wouldn't have survived the exposure to air.

Third, ocular herpes almost always happens when someone has the virus themselves and it travels up the nerve to the eye, or they are newly infected, touch their own outbreak, and then immediately touch their eye.

As for him examining you, the skin on your body is too thick for the virus to infect. Mucous membranes, like the mouth, inside your nose, eyes, and genitals are concerns for herpes infections, not intact skin on the rest of your body.

I don't want to freak you out, but you do need to know that you could have hsv1 and never have symptoms. You may have it already. If you want to know, ask your doctor for a type specific IgG herpes blood test. The good news about having it already is that you can't get it again, meaning you can stop worrying about this particular germ. :)

Are you under care for your OCD? If you aren't, you should talk to your doctor about it. There is help for it. (I say that with only compassion, not criticism or judgement.)

[germophobe616]

Hello auntiejessi,

Thank you for your reply. I'm glad to have some reassurance. I tend to get horribly stressed out about these sort of things.

Are you sure that the virus couldn't be transmitted to my hands, though? My hands are rather dry/a bit damaged from over-washing.

I know that the virus is very common, and I haven't been tested. My mother had it, so it's possible I caught it as a child but never found out. Perhaps I should get this blood test you mentioned, maybe that would put me more at ease.

I am on a waiting list to receive treatment for my OCD, and I hope to be able to do something about it soon. (No offence taken, I appreciate it)

Again, thank you so much for replying!

[auntiejessi]

Yes, I am sure it couldn't be transmitted to your hands. It hasn't happened before, ever, and I promise you won't be the first. :)

I don't know if you know who Howie Mandel is, but he's a comedian who has OCD and has a major germ phobia. He doesn't shake hands, and instead fist bumps, elbow bumps or hugs. Mysophobia (fear of germs) aside, it's not a horrible idea, what with colds and flus and such. Don't be afraid to adopt that habit, especially while you wait for treatment (which is crap, but don't get me started on mental health treatment accessibility - you'll regret it, and so will I lol).

We have an OCD forum that may work for you - https://www.medhelp.org/forums/Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-OCD-/show/231 They can't answer your herpes questions, but can offer support and tips for living with OCD. We'll still be here for your herpes questions even if you are posting in OCD or another forum. :)