Customers Allegedly Contract Genital Herpes from Oregon Nail Salon
According to a recently filed lawsuit, two customers claim they contracted genital herpes after receiving manicures at an Oregon salon, years apart. The more recent case involves a 31-year-old woman who alleges she was infected during an acrylic manicure appointment last year at PDX Nails in Portland, as reported by The Oregonian.
In her $2.5 million lawsuit, filed on Monday, the woman claims to be the second customer to catch the virus from the salon within a two-year span.
“It’s quite embarrassing,” said the woman, referred to as J.S. in the lawsuit. “I just went to get my nails done.”
During her visit, J.S. alleges that the nail technician did not wear gloves while performing the manicure or during the accompanying hand massage with lotion or oil.
The day following her appointment, J.S. began experiencing “an unusual burning and stinging sensation” on her hand and pinky. Subsequently, an itchy, fluid-filled blister appeared and lasted for several days.
Feeling anxious, J.S. sought advice from others, showing them her hand for insights. “They were like, ‘Where did you get your nails done?’” she recounted. When she mentioned PDX Nails, the response was shocking: “No way. That place just had a lawsuit.”
Just a month before J.S. visited, the salon had settled a lawsuit with another customer who had contracted the virus in 2023.
The previous customer, known only as S.R., filed a $1.75 million lawsuit against PDX Nails in 2024, which was settled the following July for an undisclosed amount.
J.S. stated in her lawsuit that she has experienced recurring outbreaks despite being on antiviral medications to manage the condition, which currently has no cure. She insisted that prior to her visit, she had no known exposure to the herpes infection.
Along with the salon, the lawsuit targets the Oregon Health Authority and the Health Licensing Office, citing their “incompetence.” It argues that these agencies failed to revoke the salon’s cosmetology license or take appropriate actions that could have protected J.S. from exposure to the virus following the earlier incident.
PDX Nails operates two locations in Portland. One of them was fined $500 in 2021 for failing to adequately disinfect tools that come into direct contact with clients. Additionally, an inspector found “used drilling bits on the workstation” and levied another $500 fine for improper cleaning of foot spa equipment.
However, there have been no further violations or fines issued to the salon since 2021, according to state officials.
As a mother, J.S. expresses constant anxiety about the potential of transmitting the virus through touch, even going so far as to wear gloves while changing her baby’s diaper. “I’m worried that I might mess up somebody else’s life because of this,” she shared.
When approached for comment, PDX Nails did not respond, nor did the Oregon Health Authority provide immediate feedback.
