Nail Salon Lawsuit Claims Herpes Virus Transmission
Customer Alleges Unsanitary Practices Led to Painful Infection
A young woman is suing a Portland nail salon, alleging a routine manicure resulted in her contracting a herpes virus. The lawsuit claims improper tool storage and lack of gloves led to the infection.
From Manicure to Malady
The 23-year-old woman visited PDX Nails in Portland, Oregon, on June 1, 2023, seeking an acrylic nail service. Within hours, she developed swelling on her index finger and began to feel unwell. Four days later, painful blisters appeared on her fingers, prompting an urgent care visit.
Medical tests confirmed a herpetic whitlow infection, a condition caused by the herpes simplex virus. This infection, typically manifesting as painful blisters on the fingertips, can be transmitted through contaminated objects, including shared nail tools.
Allegations of Unsanitary Practices
The lawsuit details accusations against the nail technician, including failure to wear gloves during the service and storing manicure tools in an Altoids mint tin. The woman asserts she had no prior history of the condition before her salon visit.
Herpetic whitlow is caused by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) or herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). Transmission occurs through contact with active lesions or infected bodily fluids. Symptoms include tingling, blisters, swelling, and redness around the nail bed.
While herpetic whitlow typically resolves within two weeks, the plaintiff states her infection has persisted for years with recurring flare-ups. The constant pain and fear of spreading the contagious infection have forced her to keep her fingers bandaged in public.
Legal Action and Settlement
The woman initially sought $1.75 million in damages, citing negligence and unlawful trade practices. However, reports indicate that a confidential settlement has since been reached between the customer and the salon. The terms of this agreement have not been disclosed.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 11.5% of Americans aged 14 to 49 have genital herpes, predominantly caused by HSV-2, highlighting the prevalence of herpes simplex viruses in the population (CDC).
