Is there truly such a thing as non-genital HSV 2?

[evanspiz]

I have been tested before for all STDs, including HSV, and have had negative test results. My last testing was done well after I was out of a relationship (many months) and before I was in a new one; and all was well. I recently had some blistering on my right hand -- back of hand, not palm.  Initially, doctor thought some sort of contact dermatitis, but we had it cultured and it's HSV 2.  I've never had a positive test result nor have I ever had any sort of genital symptoms and have no reason to believe my partner is not clean. I have read the virus does not travel to another part of the body. So, could I be some rare case of non-genital HSV2 and is it even that rare?  Dermatologist said it's genital-related virus, but could have been transmitted to me via a kiss on the hand or something like that.  He also said that since it presents on hand and I have never had it genitally, that I would likely not be infecting sex partner. My main questions are, how could I have gotten this on my hand (partner has had no signs or symptoms) and how do I deal going forward with sex partners -- as in, can I know for sure it's not genital?

[evanspiz]

Did you get swab test from hand and know for sure you have it? From what I have learned if you have entry point above the waist like on hand, you can't get it below the waist unless you contracted it at the same time and you would probably had breakout at the same time. That's why my dermatologist said it's non genital HSV 2. I hope he's right because of course now every little itch anywhere is putting me in a full blown state of panic. Hope you're right about the whole thing being an inconvenience.  :-/

[Lookingout4]

No swab test because I thought it was just a bite.  I showed it to a dr. but he just said "No, it's not herpes." and wouldn't even do a swab test.
It went away without much pain or anything, but like I said, a few days later I found a white bump on my inner elbow and then just today I saw a small white bump in my pelvic area, which was covered during sexual contact.

So I haven't had a swab test, but have experienced many of the symptoms and still have some burning in groin area.  Not really anywhere else so it feels like it has gotten into my system through hand and is camped out in spinal area and showing up below waist.

I know everyone says it is very unlikely, but have read a few places that it's definitely possible to spread down to the groin but have also read that unless you have an outbreak you can't spread from your hand to someone else, so that's good.

Dealing with it a bit better, but still crushing anytime I see another bump or have another episode of burning down there.  Stigma and 'in my head' symptoms are far worse than any physical so far.   How about you?

[feelingundone]

You surely did not get hsv2 from someone kissing your hand. You probably got it (almost certainly) from fingering a partner. I do agree with your dr that you don't have a genital infection. What you have is herpes whitlow which is hsv of the finger or hand. The good news is herpes whitlow doesn't shed. Meaning you are not contagious unless you're having an outbreak. So no outbreak you are fine to use that hand on your partner without fear. Whitlow is somewhat rare but does happen.

[evanspiz]

Thanks for your input,  I've been going crazy researching. There's actually so little on HSV2 on the hand like this. The blisters are off to the end of my hand, like nowhere near fingers or palm. Nothing I have read about whitlow seems at all like this and not one pic I have seen is on back of hand localized like this. Again, neither my bf nor I have ever had any genital symptoms at all. The one thought that I had that made some sense to me was that I possibly got it at the nail salon.  I go to random salons depending on where I am in town working and can get away, and the infection is kind of where a nail tech would be holding me down. I had recently had a little pimple on the hand and had popped it, so skin was definitely compromised.  I'm completely baffled, especially at the typing. BTW, I've had no pain at all, just annoyed at having to wear a bandage all the time. I did go for blood work today.  But, then I think I read something that the meds could mess up the readings.  Any other thoughts on my ramblings?  Thanks in advance.  

[Lookingout4]

I had what I thought was a spiderbite on the back of my hand as well just recently.  No cut on my hand or anything, but it was 2 small bumps that never got any bigger.

I'd had exposure to a partner who had it and I think my hand probably touched her genitals with some friction. not enough to scrape, but to rub it in, which after further reading, is possible.  When we talked she said she'd had it but hadn't had an outbreak in years, so it's possibly to spread and carry even though nothing is showing.

The 2 small bumps on hand disappeared but now I have 1 on my inner thigh and 1 on my inner elbow.  
I had protected sex which means odds are really small, but it's possible.  It's not likely, but there are obviously a few cases here and there. Once it's in your system seems like it can just pop up here and there whenever, whether you call it whitlow or genital herpes or HSV2, still the same virus.

Trying to figure out how to deal with it now. More of a mental struggle than any real physical problems so far.  Hopefully my brain figures out what to do with it as time goes on and nothing bad happens. Seems like your symptoms aren't that bad and I'm sure it will end up just being a minor inconvenience (at least that's what everyone tells me)