Can I Contract Oral Herpes By Sharing a Bottle?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Flying Penguin
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
Sharing a bottle or cup with someone infected with oral herpes can lead to transmission, as the herpes virus is contagious through direct contact or via shared items like razors, towels, and dishes. A significant portion of the population carries HSV-1, with about 50% of teenagers and 85% of adults over 50 testing positive for antibodies. Notably, individuals with HSV can shed the virus and infect others even when they do not have visible symptoms. Concerns about washing clothes together with those of an infected person, including underwear, are addressed, with the consensus that the herpes virus is too fragile to survive the washing process, as detergents effectively damage the virus's proteins.
Flying Penguin
Messages
22
Reaction score
0
Can one contract oral herpes by sharing a bottle (or cup) with someone who's infected?
 
Biology news on Phys.org
In other words if your partner gets cold sores, dump them. :-)
 
ukmicky said:
In other words if your partner gets cold sores, dump them. :-)

Since 50% of teenagers have positive antibodies to HSV-1 and climbs to 85% by age 50 in the general population, that pretty much limits your playing field.:biggrin: (AND DON'T forget 70% of the time someone with HSV can shed the virus and infect others without any visible lesions!)
 
What about washing clothes together with the clothes of someone infected? (underwear too)
 
Flying Penguin said:
What about washing clothes together with the clothes of someone infected? (underwear too)


no the herpes virus is too fragile to survive such a bashing:smile:
 
the detergent used in the wash should be pretty damaging to the proteins on the virus.
 
Back
Top