Oklahoma City, OK
A 18-year-old female asked:
Could you contract hsv if someone licked their fingers then fingered you? no sign of cold sore noticed on mouth, and how fast would you get symptoms?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Levi Palmeranswered
Pediatric Dentistry 19 years experience
Not Likely: The HSV virus is usually most infective when there is a blister growing or on the lip. Genital HSV is type 2. Oral is Type 1. Both have different preference for the location they infect. HSV1 can be transmitted to the genital region. Life cycle of a virus is 14 days. Some people have resistance to the virus and never get the sores.http://www.herpes.org.nz/patient-info/myths-vs-facts/
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Hunter Handsfieldanswered
Infectious Disease 55 years experience
Extremely unlikely: In theory, such indirect exposure could result in transmission. But this happens very rarely, if ever. In busy STD clinics, everyone with genital herpes has had unprotected intercourse (vaginal, anal, or oral); we never see patients whose only exposure was hand-genital contact. Don't worry about it.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jan 17, 2020
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