My husband and I have Genital Herpes. I had a C section due to this. We were recently away on vacation with our 8 month old. There was only a stand up shower in our hotel so my husband showered with my 8 month old. In the shower there was a sitting area. My husband sat down on it and then briefly rested my baby on his lap to wash him. He only did this for about 5-10 seconds because I saw and reminded him not to. He doesn’t have any open sores or symptoms of an outbreak and has had the virus for 9 years but I am worried sick about viral shedding. I don’t know what I would do if my baby has become infected from showering him. I’ve read mixed things such as the way you shed the virus when there is no outbreaks is through mucus membranes and Genital secretions. If this were the case he definitely did not come into contact with that but he was resting on his lap so his pubic hair area could have touched my son. Is he at risk? It’s been 6 days so far and no symptoms. Thanks you so much.

Based on what you have shared with me it sounds like there are no significant exposures to indicate an HSV infection. Herpes is passed by skin-to-skin contact between one person who has the virus and another who does not. This contact needs to be directly with the part of the body where aperson has the virus. For example, if someone has oral herpes, their mouth is the area of the body that has the virus, not their genitals. The type of contact that usually transmits herpes involves skin rubbing on skin, like kissing or sexual activity. It also is possible for herpes to be passed if one person touchesthe part of their body that has herpes (like their genitals) and then immediately touches another person’s mouth or genitals. Sharing sex toys between one person and another without changing condoms or washing toyscan also pass the virus.

The chance of passing herpes is highest when there is an active outbreak (when sores or blisters are visible, or prodrome symptoms are present). There is no risk of passing herpes throughgeneral household activities. You can’t get herpes from a toilet seat or furniture, or fromsharing a bed or hugging someone with herpes.The herpes virus is fragile and doesn’t live more than a few minutes on most surfaces. The virus is easily killed by soap and water. Unless an item, like a spoon or a towel, is going directly from one person’s mouth or genitals to another person, there is no need to worryabout sharing household items.

Although there is no major risk exposure in the case that you’ve mentioned to me, these are the key clinical indicators of an active herpes outbreak/infection

GENERAL SYMPTOMS CAN INCLUDE:
• One or more sores that look like
water blisters, cuts, or broken skin
• The skin can feel itchy, tingling, burning, raw, or painful
• Fever, headache, or muscle aches
• Feel tired and not well

SYMPTOMS OF GENITAL HERPES CAN INCLUDE:
• Pain in your legs or buttocks
• The lymph nodes in the groin can be swollen and tender
• Painful urination (peeing)
• A change in vaginal discharge
• Swollen genitals

Does this answer your question? Please let us know.

This answer was posted on July 3, 2019.

Search