Whitlow from handshake / saliva?

[Tourbillon]

Hi, just wondering how easy would it be to get a Herpes infection from a handshake where the person was just biting his fingernails, had this bad experience yesterday where I went to purchase some things at a store, I knew one of the clerks and noticed he was biting his nails, as soon as he sees me he smiles at me and stretches his hand for a handshake, I automatically react to this and reach out as its the polite thing to do, then it hit me, he had saliva in his hands and it was wet... not pleasant, lol.

I of course went into panic mode and avoided touching any other part of my body, I just grabbed my keys, started the car and went home as planned, then I washed my hands thoroughly. I know the HSV lives for about 10 seconds outside the body but being a herpes hypochondriac, eh, it's better to be 100% safe.

I don't know if the person had lesions, but with HSV1 being so common it makes you wonder... so, how likely would you be to get Herpes Whitlow from this experience? The only exposed part I can think of were my cuticles, for some reason they always peel and crack all the time so I have very tiny cuts there where the cuticles begin.

[Tourbillon]

Thank you for your time and responses, Life360, I appreciate it. :]

[Life360_Dave]

yes that s correct

[Tourbillon]

Thank you for your prompt response. Even if he had an open sore I guess the hand's skin would be too thick?

[Life360_Dave]

Hi, you had no risk for contracting whitlow from your encounter. Whitow is only contagious when there is an open finger sore as it does not shed. Saliva is not an issue for transferance.