Can a child with atopic dermatitis get infected with HSV from touching a cold sore of the infected person?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have a question about HSV 1 and 2 and their infectious ability on surfaces outside the host. My sister has a cold sore and keeps touching everything without washing her hands. My child has atopic dermatitis. I fear him contracting an infection with HSV that can be life-threatening. Therefore, I want to know about the life span of HSV 1 and 2, and the asymptomatic shedding of both types as well. Do I need to worry?

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I went through your query and understood your concern.

The herpes simplex virus in a cold sore is contagious. It can spread to others by kissing, sharing cups or utensils, sharing washed clothes, or touching the cold sore before it is healed. The virus can also spread to others within 24 to 48 hours before the cold sore appears. Herpes viruses isolated from patients with oral lesions were found to survive for as long as two hours on the skin, three hours on cloth, and four hours on plastic.

I hope this has helped you.

Thanks and regards.

Answer 2

Thanks for your revert. As for instructions and guidelines, there needs to be documentation before any replies to queries. I have requested for basic documentation and it is expected to be shared by querying person. The confidentiality of the patient is of utmost importance and will be adhered. Hence I am again asking for the diagnosis of Herpes in your sister in whom you mentioned having cold sores and fever blisters. Has her diagnosis confirmed by a lab test or clinically by a qualified physician? Please share the datam I have already mentioned the response to the query on the virus survival. For the sake of repetition, let me share it again with some additional description. Most evidence suggests that the herpes simplex virus doesn’t live very long on exterior surfaces.Afterwards, the virus weakens and loses its ability to invade new cells. Herpes viruses isolated from patients with oral lesions were found to survive for as long as two hours on skin, three hours on cloth, and four hours on plastic.It can survive on dry inanimate surfaces (survival ranges from few hours to 8 weeks). They survive longer at lower humidity. It is theoretically possible to transmit hepes simplex ( particularly type1) virus while sharing drink but due to degradation of the virus, there is very little possibility. It's best to use separate straws or refrain from sharing until all signs of cold sores have disappeared. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) saliva, not common surfaces, is the most likely source of herpes infection for HSV-1. Cold sores are most contagious at the point when blisters are oozing, because the virus easily spreads through contact with infected body fluids. However, cold sores can be contagious even when the sores are not actually seen. Hence consider the cold sores contagious from the moment it's diagnosed by diagnostic test and clinical examination to when the cold sore has completely healed. Since it's about protecting those around you from cold sores, it’s best to err on the side of caution. However, it's best to get a clinically confirmed diagnosis before labelling person as HSV1/2 infected.