how hard or easy is it to reinfect yourself in other areas during an outbreak ? how should i take care of myself during an outbreak ? How should i go about protecting my loved ones also, with regards to showering, using the toilet, dirty laundry and such ?

thanks

You want to be careful to wash your hands after touching an area where the virus may be active. Just wash for about 20 seconds. Herpes is sensitive to soap, so it will be killed quickly. If by some chance you forget to wash or can't, the virus will die as it dries, so after several minutes you'll be safe. Just don't scratch anywhere in the meantime. Remember, the virus enters the body through tiny cracks in the skin, thus the vulnerability to infection in the genital region (esp during sex) and the mouth (chapped lips.) Bitten fingernails, pimples, etc would also be vulnerable.

Because the virus dies soon after leaving your body, and because soap kills it easily, you don't have to worry about laundry too much. By the time it comes out of the washer, if not 'way before, your laundry (and whoever's is in with yours) will be safe. A herpes counsellor told me (and I have read since) that h has been cultured off wet washcloths and towels, but never off dry ones. So I keep both in my own area, have my own design on both, and have explained to my kids why they must not ever use my towel or washcloth.

It would be a good idea not to bathe with someone else, but showering? I guess it depends on where you have the h and whether you feel it is active. You can always spray either the shower or the tub after using it with a disinfectant, depending on how much space you share with others. As I said, h doesn't live long after leaving your body, esp when it dries.

My h is not in an area that is in contact with the toilet, so I've not done anything about that. You can always spray that with a disinfectant, too, if you want.

I have h genitally, so during an ob I use a different washcloth for that area, top avoid reinfecting myself. I don't think this is very likely, however, because I didn't think of doing this for many years! I think you use enough soap on your washcloth to kill the h anyway.

Hope this helps.

thanks for the reply backpacker, it is trully appreciated.