A 17-year-old female asked:
can herpetic whitlow be contracted via indirect contact such as someone else touching a cold sore and then shaking my hand (which has a tiny wound)?
1 doctor answer
Dr. Robert Levine answered
19 years experience Orthopedic Surgery
Yes but less common: It is usually spread from direct contact but in theory can also occur from indirect contact.
Answered on Mar 12, 2014
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Related questions:
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Wallner answered
41 years experience Gynecology
Touching a cold sore: ..Is direct contact and could be a cause. Touching someone's genital organs is more likely a cause of whitlow.
1
1 thank
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Timothy Raichle answered
22 years experience Obstetrics and Gynecology
Almost zero: Herpes is not transmitted through hand-to-hand contact.
1
1 thank
A member asked:
Dr. Martin Raff answered
56 years experience Infectious Disease
Unlikely: If you touched the ulcer directly with a finger which had a wound you might get this, but by secondary transfer this would be quite unusual. Nothing i ... Read More
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Richard Zimon answered
59 years experience Internal Medicine
Probably: as you describe it.... Suggest you have your GP evaluate..there are anti-virals which could be helpful!
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
People also searched for:
Connect by text or video with a U.S. board-certified doctor now — wait time is less than 1 minute!
24/7 visits
$15 per month