Can you spread herpes through hand to genital and then hand to genital contact?

Answer 1

Technically, it is possible, yes. I saw this issue on medline, and HSV-1 (oral herpes) can present itself on the genital region, if the person touches their own mouth, which has the infection as being active, and an open sore is present. Also, there is a six day incubation period before the sore becomes visible or open, which is also a time when the herpes is contagious.
Generally, this is not spread from hand to genital contact, though- it is usually spread primarily by the open sore making contact with the genital or mouth area. It can't be spread to the regular skin areas where broken skin is not present. Skin is too thick to contract herpes. Herpes can only be transmitted via the mucous membranes. Again, though, it seems to be possible, according to medline, even for a child who has had a history of HSV 1 (the oral kind- "fever blisters") to transfer that to their own genitals when they wipe their bottom in the bathroom, and what not. The oral kind is ultra common, even in children, and is caused by kissing their parents. Either way, it is important to have a child's herpes infection of the genital area biopsied, to be sure that it is not the HSV-2 infection, as this obviously presents evidence of sexual abuse.

HSV 2, it must also be assumed, can also be contracted by the carrier who has the genital herpes infection touching themselves, and then immediately touching the person who is not already infected. I am no expert, but I think as long as there is infected mucous from the sore on the person's hand, it would be at least possible to transmit the infection this way.. However, it must not be said- your hand can NOT catch herpes from the hand of someone who has it, even if there is herpes mucous on that person's hand. Of course, it should always be suspected that any genital herpes in children could possibly be caused by sexual abuse, and should be reported.

Also, some things should be considered when worrying about a diagnosis with herpes as well. There are other infections that might be there, instead, like chicken pox, and staphylococcus aureus infections that present symptoms similar to herpes. I am not sure how one might get that type of infection, either, so the best thing to do is to discuss it with a doctor, and maybe even get a second opinion.