2007-11-22 02:15:35 · 11 answers · asked by jennifer w 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ STDs
You know, I know the sites for genital herpes all go on about sharing things like towels, but I don't think there's ever been good evidence it can actually be transmitted that way and the doctors I work with say it's not likely at all. The herpes virus is really not that strong, it's quite fragile outside the body itself and so is best spread by sexual activity. Your roommate would also be most contagious while she actually had an active outbreak, an open sore on the genitals. So while it isn't optimum to share a towel with a person with genital herpes, it's not like we are talking a massive biological hazard here. I assume your roommate is just using the towel to dry off with, not to rub things like open herpetic sores. For starters, those are usually pretty sensitive and you just don't want to be rubbing terry cloth on them. So- relax and breathe out. You won't catch herpes from your roommate- not from her towel or the toilet. If you catch herpes, it's more likely to be done the old fashioned way- through sex. That's why you always always use a condom. It's not your roommate you need to watch out for, it's the squeeky clean looking fellow who you think looks too nice to have something.
2007-11-22 02:27:15 · answer #1 · answered by The mom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2016-08-10 04:51:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-09-01 21:16:03 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there isn't any. Herpes is caused by a virus. Actually, there is little cure for viruses nowadays. The only thing that you can generally do in the case of a viral infection is strengthen the immune system and hope it fights it off. Not with Herpes, the immune system can't win against it. Thus you only get to treat the symptoms. Once you're infected, it stays with you for life. So don't get infected.
Personal experience. I have had genital herpes for over 5 years.
The #1 Herpes Cure Program?
2016-05-14 16:44:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Herpes virus is spread only through direct skin-to-skin contact or mucous membrane contact. Herpes enters the body through broken area of skin or intact mucous membranes. It can be transmitted through penile-vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, oral-genital sex, and other sexual body-to-body contact.
The herpes virus is quite fragile. HSV does not survive outside the body for more than about 10 seconds, and although it can survive for slightly longer in warm, damp conditions, it dies very quickly once exposed to the air. Transmission through inanimate objects such as toilet seats is unlikely. There has never been a documented case of herpes being transmitted through an inanimate object. If you are concerned about the risk, precautions include not sharing towels, underwear, or other objects that come into contact with genital lesions.
If you are worried because you have used her towel, I wouldn't be at all, unless it was directly after she had used it and you used it to dry your genitals too. Even if you did use it straight after, it is highly unlikely it would be transmitted - not just because it is unlikely the virus would survive on the towel at all, nevermind in sufficient quantities to infect you, but because people with genital herpes are only infectious for a small proportion of the time - about 15% max.
And believe me, if you caught it, you would know within four days.
Look, the vast majority of the population is infected with one form of herpes or another. One in four women has genital herpes, so everytime you use a public restroom you are following close on the heels of women with genital herpes. And yet you haven't caught it and are not going to. Oral herpes - 8 out of 10 people are infected, they touch their mouths and then touch things you touch before you touch your mouth all the time, yet there has never been a recorded case of it being caught through anything but direct contact. There is nothing to worry about. It is hard enough to catch it from someone even if you are having a full blown, unprotected sexual relationship with them. You risk of catching it per year in this situation would be only 10% per year.
2007-11-22 07:30:48 · answer #5 · answered by mayflower25 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not very....the herpes virus isn't all that tough...its not as strong as the common cold virus for instance. For you to contract the herpes from the towel, you'd have to have a break (cut or tear) in your skin. hopefully, you aren't rubbing that hard.
I would, however, get rid of the pink towel so there's no future accidents...no sense taking chances.
2007-11-22 02:21:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
chances are kind of low if she doesn't have an outbreak. but i would not share the same towel as her because herpes can be transmited throuhg sharring a towel. if your worried get checked out or get an std test done.
2007-11-22 07:18:39 · answer #7 · answered by LINDSEY S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do no this much from going to school to be MA and doing my intership for a OB GYN. Herpes and other STD's can live on an inantimate object for 48 hours, but with the towel, unless she just used it.
2007-11-22 03:47:18 · answer #8 · answered by tweety10157 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't stress too much....but don't share a towel either because Herpes can be transmitted through a wet towel.
2007-11-22 06:13:03 · answer #9 · answered by aseptic technique 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
not really because herpes cant really be spread like that. u should get a blue or red towel
2007-11-22 04:40:44 · answer #10 · answered by LiL Wayne Rocks 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋