HomeAnswersInfectious DiseaseshsvCan HSV infect my child with atopic dermatitis?

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

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At January 23, 2023
Reviewed AtJanuary 25, 2023

Patient's Query

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.

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.

Patient's Query

She was tested for it awhile go and had an outbreak recently which is why I am asking specific questions about transmission and life span of the virus on surfaces. My interest in writing in this post and paying for infectious disease information is to determine the life span of the virus outside the host. I need to protect my son from potential exposure. Is there any medical evidence as to what rare instances it lives a few weeks? For example, when living in a moist environement, when below a certain temperature, when on a certain surface? I do not believe I need to provide the medical information you asked if I am seeking only information on the life span and infectivity outside the host. The information provide is accurate and has been medically diagnosed. For purposes of answering my questions/concerns I believe having the information that both have been medically diagnosed should be sufficient. The reason for writing is to learn how specifically how long the virus lives outside the host and the time frame on what types of suraces. Also, what is meant be a few weeks? 3, 4, 8, etc.? Once the sore is healed then it can not be spread by touching it, however, given the sore was touched and other surfaces were touch I really need to know the life span and other transmission information for the virus outside the host. I assume the virus dries on a surface once outside the host. But does that mean it can only be transmitted if, for example, someone touches with wet hands and has an open wound? Or can it transfer from being touched when it is dry? I am also in knowing various types of cleaning products that kill the virus and kill times. For example, do wet ones (Benzethonium Chloride (0.3%) kill the virus? I know lysol, microban, and isopropol alcohol higher than 70%, but not sure about wet ones. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. I have been under a great deal of stress regarding this issue and need to ensure my son's protection.
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.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Shubadeep Debabrata Sinha
Dr. Shubadeep Debabrata Sinha

Infectious Diseases

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