Newly diagnosed - Herpes in unusual places

[Lucy88]

I saw my doctor for a lesion on my arm and the swab came up positive for both type 1 and 2 HSV. I've never had an outbreak in the oral or genital regions, would I still be contagious through these areas or only on my arm?

[Sab123]

It's contagious through skin to skin contact normal places it passes to are eyes mouth private areas and I think nose (don't quote me in that one) if you came in contact with someone who has it in that area and you had a cut or a wound there that area can get infected so it is possible but just think of it as a rash it could be worse trust me

[Sab123]

Sorry my whole comment didn't post but becareful not to spread it make sure you wash your hands throughly before touching any other area on your body after contact with outbreak and make sure you have no cuts on your hands if you do touch it

[SheWillBLoved]

how will you know if ur eye is infected

[Lucy88]

Thanks for your reply Sab! Luckily my lesions are completely healed, but in regards to when we shed the virus, would I need to be concerned about shedding through my oral or genital region? Or just the region that gets the outbreak (my arm in my case)? Any insight could really help me out, I haven't been able to find too much info about herpes outside the typical areas.

[WCSDancer2010]

BOTH types? Hmmm - that is weird. My understanding is that HSV 1 is the only one responsible for lesions outside of the mouth/genitals. It is labeled Herpes Gladatorium in those areas ... often passed by wrestlers because of the very close skin to skin contact aggravated by minor scrapes on the mat that can open up the skin and allow the virus in.

 

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20000110/herpes-gladiatorum-is-common-among-wrestlers

 

To my *knowledge* (Adriel will have some info I am sure), the virus stays in the area where you contracted it. So the main thing is to watch for outbreaks and cover the area when you have one.

 

 

[Lucy88]

Thank you for that link. I am a massage therapist so it seems likely I may have contracted this from working on a client. I feel it also might be necessary for me to wear gloves while doing massage from now on.

[WCSDancer2010]

Hmmm - I'm a massage therapist too - hadn't thought of that as a possible way to get it ... good to know. So your outbreak is on your hands? If not, then you should be ok without gloves.

[Lucy88]

Yes, its not something I had ever thought could happen but... here I am! The outbreaks come out in a spot I wouldn't actually use for massage (right above elbow), but I am wondering about viral shedding from the whole area (I think its the C5 dermatome?) in the case of a client having compromised skin such as acne, cracks etc. As a fellow MT, would you be concerned about that, WCSDancer, or would you consider the gloves overkill? Thanks!

[WCSDancer2010]

My *understanding* is that outbreaks usually occur pretty close to the site where you first got it (Adrial, am I right here???).

 

Actually, one of the top Dr's in the country on Herpes issues is at the http://www.westoverheights.com/ - you may want to contact them ... (or do you have someone you can contact Adrial?) . It is a good question and one which I would love to know the answer to.

 

Concerning gloves tho, we still use arms and elbows...so I am not sure that gloves would help anyway.... however, if you had a client with BAD acne (I've had one whose whole back was broken out), psoriasis, etc, I might want to wear gloves just in case and refrain from using arms and elbows...

[Lucy88]

Thanks Dancer! I'm definitely going to be contacting a specialist soon. I need to to be able to return to work and I think I've decided to just wear a glove and long sleeves to cover up my left arm. I figure its a very miniscule chance I could give it to someone even without gloves but, not a risk I'm willing to take.

[WCSDancer2010]

The thing is, when we get it on our genitals/lips, it doesn't move around those dermatomes - so I'm pretty sure you will just need to stay aware of the area that you had the outbreak ..

 

let me know what you learn... useful for me to know too :)