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Hi everyone, I know this is a fairly common experience with a diagnosis of HSV-1, wondering about all the possibilities. I was diagnosed a couple years ago with HSV-1 in the genital area, but I have a question about autoinoculation. I had an experience during my first outbreak ever with autoinoculation (whitlow on the finger, which hasn't reoccured). Since my initial outbreak a couple years ago, I have only had one more last summer. My mind tends to go to the worst possibility, but I have developed a system for washing and drying which has kept me comfortable the past couple years. When I get out of the shower I dry my body off with a towel (including my genitals). Then I wash my hands and with a new towel I dry my face, ears, etc. My question is: could I autoinoculate if I forget to wash my hands and go straight from drying my body/genitals with one towel to drying my face/ears with another towel? Particularly, could I autoinoculate in my ear region, leading to herpesviral encephalitis? I have a number of piercings in my ears, could they create an opportunity for autoinoculation leading to herpesviral encephalitis? Again, I know my mind tends to go to the worst possibility, but there is something to be said for putting my mind at ease. Thank you.

I didn't mean to make him out to be a jerk! It was just a question of insurance. I have insurance, while he doesn't. I'm wondering, since blood tests are questionable and he has never had an outbreak, what is the most reliable way for him to get tested when I tell him? There is really no other possible way I could have contracted herpes than from him.

Hi again guys, I know I've been posting a lot of questions, but I'm new! I have a very bad happen of picking at hangnails to the point where they are open cuts. Of course, I was just recently diagnosed this week, so I wasn't aware I even had herpes or I would have been more careful about hygiene and my hangnails. However, I am almost positive I developed herpetic whitlow in my right index finger. A couple questions: 1. My prescribed my Valtrex on Tuesday (two pills, twice a day), which I finished Friday morning. There are two refills listed. Should I fill another prescription for my finger? Should I go to urgent care tomorrow morning? 2. I was wondering about experiences with herpetic whitlow. It's painful at the point of the outbreak (kind of near my nail), but there is also some pain at the base of my finger and another tender area at the base of my hand (kind of like a bruise), is this symptomatic of herpetic whitlow? Thank you for the feedback.

Thank you so much, WCSDancer2010 and Orngpeelmafia! I appreciate your advice and your being so welcoming.

I apologize if this post is a little too explicit for some, but I'm really looking for any advice from anyone that was in the same or similar situations. I'm afraid I'm in a tricky situation. I have been in a committed relationship with my boyfriend since August. We recently made the decision I would get every STD/STI test you possibly could and if I tested positive, he would get the test done. It is very fortunate/unfortunate timing that as I was in the middle of getting tested for everything that I was having my first herpes outbreak. My question is, how do you recommend I bring this topic up? I need to tell him that I got it from him (as it's only possible for me to have gotten it from him). From what I've read about it, it's very possible to be carrying it and not know it. I am not angry and have no interest in breaking up with him over this, so I'd appreciate any advice anyone has. Thank you all, I'm glad to have found you.

I was recently diagnosed with HSV, and just by nature I want to find out everything I'm supposed to know now, and worry about it later than the other way around. I just feel like there's not a good solid list of all the precautions I'm supposed to take and everything I'm supposed to do. It seems like too much information in too many spots, so really anything is appreciated right now. Firstly, hygiene. It seems that when I shower I should use a new towel every day, but that poses a problem for someone that has three bath towels--and has to pay for laundry. That adds up. Should I use a new towel every day I shower during an outbreak? Should I use a new towel every single day? The same thing goes for washcloths. I use a loofa--do I need to start buying the for daily use, because again, that also adds up. I've seen this topic on the site, but I would appreciate any more information given to me. I generally like to shave that region of my body, but always used the same razor for everything. Firstly, can I shave? Secondly, if I can shave it just seems wrong for me to be using the same razor for everything now--legs, etc. Should I be keeping separate razors? Are there any soaps anyone recommends? I also read somewhere that rubbing alcohol is a good idea--just going from a piercing infection that seems like a very painful thing to do. It also seems like it would dry out that area a bit too much than is healthy. Please, really just any information. If someone would like to share their daily schedule (during and outbreaks and not during outbreaks), I would be entirely grateful for any advice. Thanks, you guys!