Baltimore, MD
A 25-year-old member asked:
How long does the herpes simplex virus (1) last on a finger. if one touched a present oral blister that hasn't yet opened ,then touched another area?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. John Froudeanswered
Infectious Disease 55 years experience
For life.: It's not as bad as it sounds. The first episode is the worst. Recurrences become less and less symptomatic, and less frequent until finally it stops . There is usually an interval of months, or years between attacks.
Are you a health care worker?
It can defiinitely be transmitted to other areas but for some reason isn't commonly. Good Idea to cover it while you have it with a band aid.
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1.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Jan 24, 2016
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