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What Are The Chances Of Contracting Genital Herpes?
Question: Hi i have genital herpes and at the minute i have a active lesion. I have a 5 month old baby and when i got out the bath i put my used towel in the washing basket on top of the babys clothes without thinking. Iam now scared to use the babys clothes again incase she catches this terrible virus and it harms her. Can i have your expert asvice please? Also how long does the herpea virus live on certain objects out of the body?
Brief Answer:
Chances of getting the infection are extremely low
Detailed Answer:
Hi!
Herpesvirus does not survive for long outside the body. The time of survival ranges from a few seconds to 3-4 hours.
However for infection to occur the virus has to access the body through broken skin or mucous membrane. The chances of transmitting the virus from a towel are negligible. I assume the towel was placed in the washing basket BEFORE the clothes were to be washed - if so, there is hardly any chance for the virus to have survived the washing and drying process.
For any further clarification please write in again. All the best!
Chances of getting the infection are extremely low
Detailed Answer:
Hi!
Herpesvirus does not survive for long outside the body. The time of survival ranges from a few seconds to 3-4 hours.
However for infection to occur the virus has to access the body through broken skin or mucous membrane. The chances of transmitting the virus from a towel are negligible. I assume the towel was placed in the washing basket BEFORE the clothes were to be washed - if so, there is hardly any chance for the virus to have survived the washing and drying process.
For any further clarification please write in again. All the best!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Hi, yes the clothes are going to be washd but even if they wasnt washd would the virus even survive on them after 4 hours? Also if my baby was to catch the coldsore virus is it still as dangerous as when she was newborn? Im just really paranoid about the virus
Brief Answer:
Understanding how the virus spreads....
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again! Herpesvirus in infants (not neonates - newborns)spreads by DIRECT SKIN TO SKIN CONTACT as in breastfeeding with a skin lesion on the breast or while changing diapers while having a lesion on the hand or while kissing a child if you have a cold sore. I can understand your distress, having read of your own
experience with the disease but I believe it would be exceptional for your baby to get Herpes through a mixup of clothes in the laundry basket. Once out of the newborn period, the severity of symptoms depends on the child's immunity. I am not asking you to 'relax and forget' about the incident just to 'keep a watchful eye' on your baby and be careful not to let an infected skin lesion on your part to touch her skin. Thank you for asking this important question. Wishing your baby an illness free
childhood! Dr.Vohra
Understanding how the virus spreads....
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again! Herpesvirus in infants (not neonates - newborns)spreads by DIRECT SKIN TO SKIN CONTACT as in breastfeeding with a skin lesion on the breast or while changing diapers while having a lesion on the hand or while kissing a child if you have a cold sore. I can understand your distress, having read of your own
experience with the disease but I believe it would be exceptional for your baby to get Herpes through a mixup of clothes in the laundry basket. Once out of the newborn period, the severity of symptoms depends on the child's immunity. I am not asking you to 'relax and forget' about the incident just to 'keep a watchful eye' on your baby and be careful not to let an infected skin lesion on your part to touch her skin. Thank you for asking this important question. Wishing your baby an illness free
childhood! Dr.Vohra
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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