1) Usually not.
2,3) Transferring HSV to a new body site is called auto-inoculation. It occurs rarely during initial herpes but almost never in people with recurrent herpes. After a few weeks or months, the immune system prevents new infection with the same virus type, anywhere on the body. While you should use common sense hygiene like washing hands after using the toilet, if you forget to do so there is little or no chance you could infect yourself elsewhere.
I have the impression you've having difficulty learning about genital herpes and how to live with it without worry. Consider getting the Herpes Handbook by Terri Warren, former moderator of MedHelp's herpes expert forum. It's excellent and available on line at no cost at www.westoverheights.com.
Good luck.
Thank you... A few more questions, 1) is the virus still active during the scabbing over period. 2) when I use the restroom I have no choice but to touch my shaft where the scab and outbreak are how long should I wash my hands for so I know I can't spread it to my hands or from my hands to other object. 3) can the virus rub off on my boxers in the inside and live on my boxers spreading the virus in the hamper to other clothes (sounds weird I know) thank you
Sigh. The worst kind of medical advice you can get is from people who relate their own atypical experiences. Regardless of norainbow's experience, the fact is that there are no data on on H2O2 as herpes treatment, and no biological plausibility why it should work. There is NOTHING that will speed healing of recurrent herpes outbreaks other than the established drugs like acyclovir and valacyclovir. Even these are useless if started more than a day or two after the outbreak begins. Viral replication in herpes outbreaks pretty much ends within 2-3 days, and once replication ceases, all you're left with is the body's natural healing processes for any break in the skin -- no different than, say, a cut or cigaret burn.
Ain't science wonderful?
Trust me, hydrogen peroxide will speed up the healing of open sores. I know it from first hand experience. Most doctors are absolutely clueless about a lot things related to herpes from my experience as well. They read a book and only apply what they've read and ignore the first hand accounts from actual people that have herpes.
No, it will not spread to your inner thighs from rubbing together.
OK thank you.....no one answered me yet on if the open sore can spread to the inner part of my thigh from rubbing and creating friction on it all day....
Sorry, there are no OTC treatments that will speed healing, even if some of them have a soothing effect that may reduce discomfort. Ignore norainbow's comment about hydrogen peroxide, which has no effect. (Although I certainly agree with his advice against alcohol, except for dedicated masochists who enjoy pain.)
Use hydrogen peroxide in moderation on the open sores several times a day and it will kill the virus much faster. It has worked well for me. I would not use alcohol at all on the sores.
Yes....is there anything over the counter I can take?
It does not spread like your saying. Only taking antivirals would help healing. Was the sore that was swabbed positive in the same spot as this one?
Is there anything I can do to help clear and make the healing process faster? During the day sitting down obviously the outbreak will rub up against my inner thigh won't it spread there?
Visual and a swap test I don't remember result number but I read somewhere that if you put rubbing alcohol on it it helps heal faster
No and may make it worse from burning irritation. I would not recommend this at all. How did you test positive for hsv genital?