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Discussion

Question about HSV-2

A friend of mine, who is a CNA, posed a good question. If condoms are not 100% protection against getting herpes, how could gloves be? Would he be at risk cleaning a patient and his gloved hand (or ungloved wrist) came in contact with a lesion? I tried ot do a bit of research but have only found information about it being transmitted sexually.

Thoughts?

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    Know that viruses cannot penetrate intact gloves.. If your wrist is touching a patient's perineal area its time to get longer gloves or wear a disposable sleeve or gown. Plus appropriate hand hygiene is a must to prevent a host of disease transmission.

    The herpes virus cannot penetrate an intact latex condom when used correctly. (most do not use a condom correctly or consistently hence the inadequate protection offered).

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    • Author

    Makes sense. Thank you for the reply!

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    The CDC site claims that wearing gloves reduces risk of infection by 70% - not 100%. I believe we still have to practice good hygiene

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    • Experts
    The CDC site claims that wearing gloves reduces risk of infection by 70% - not 100%. I believe we still have to practice good hygiene

    AND.....a condom doesn't cover the perineal area 100%

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    My understanding of both forms of HSV is that they enter the skin through broken skin or intact mucous membranes. Meaning that gloves plus intact skin is pretty good protection (and then add good hand hygiene).

    I suppose I worry about my exposure to many things but this has not been one of them.

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    The claims that condoms don't prevent herpes are partially based off the fact that not everyone correctly uses them.

    You need broken skin or mucous membranes to be infected. So logically it sounds more possible to get herpes from sex, condom or not, than through a gloved hand. As long as the glove is intact, you have no cuts on your hands or wrists, and you wash your hands thoroughly after (and before), you should be okay.

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