Anyone know if that's possible?  A transmission of HSV-I or HSV-II through a HJ?  Been doing some research and most say it is improbable.  What are your facts or opinions?

Are you thinking about covered HJs?

Perhaps you shouldn't shake hands.

I think if you keep saliva out of it, or to be extreme, having the hand touch an open Herpes sore--it's as safe as you can get. Once you intoduce body fluids, all bets are off.

The skin on your hands is too dry for the herpes virus to be contracted. However, your hands can serve as a vehicle to transfer the virus to other body parts. If you partner has an active lesion that your hand comes in contact with, and you then touch your eyes, nose, mouth, or genitals, it is possible to spread the virus to those body parts.

Google-image "herpetic whitlow" if you have a strong stomache.

http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic754.htm

http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/herpeticWhitlow.htm

Using alchohol based hand cleaner will help you to know the condition of your hands as usually transmission is caused by compromised skin touching a lesion.