Hsv1 transmission routes

[threelittlebirds]

Just curious... I've tried to find the answer to this online but can't seem to get a clear answer...

 

Is hsv1 transmitted ONLY through skin to skin contact? I know hsv2 is this way but I wasn't sure about hsv1. I've often heard of people getting it because they "shared utensils" and such...

[Trying]

Hey someone might correct me, but I think they can both be transmitted the same way as they are basically the same...with oral it can be through straws as you can take a sip and instantly pass it to somebody else within a matter of seconds. With hsv2 generally being below it's labelled skin to skin contact because generally there's nothing we share within seconds to someone else. It's a myth you can get it of toilet seats because someone can't come in and sit down within 5 seconds IF you got virus on the seat...because it CAN be spread through sex toys as this is immediate contact...I hope that clarifies

[threelittlebirds]

Ahh ok.. That does make sense, considering the things I have read about the virus. Thanks!

[WCSDancer2010]

*Generally* it is skin to skin contact. But with Oral Herpes, if you have a full on OB then it's not a good idea to share anything .... that is how kids pass it to each other. I think one of the bigger culprits with adults is Chapstick ... where someone uses theirs and a friend asks to use it.

 

To be honest, it's best to get another straw if you are sharing drinks anyway just in case you have something else that you may not know you are carrying (flu typically) .... ;)

[mr_hopp]

And to throw in here for even more detail, the reason that herpes might be transmitted via utensils, sharing drinks, etc. is if the fluid inside of an active herpes outbreak gets onto an object, then it can survive outside of the body for long enough to possibly transmit in that way if the other person then touches that spot on the object where there's a break in their skin that allows the virus entry to the body. So when you have an active outbreak, just take more precautions around that kind of stuff.

 

Other than that, asymptomatic viral shedding that happens between full-on outbreaks doesn't survive off the surface of the skin for long enough to transmit, so no need to be paranoid about passing herpes other than skin-to-skin contact in between outbreaks.

[threelittlebirds]

That took a little more thinking outside the box than I initially expected. Makes a lot more sense now. Thank you!

[WCSDancer2010]

Thanks @Adrial for adding that .... I was exhausted and on my phone and just trying to get a few quick details out there :)