My girlfriend shared a drink with someone that was having a herpes breakout.. She drank from the cup after he had drank from a straw. Is it possible she contracted it?
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Is it possible my girlfriend has herpes?
Featured Answer
According to the CDC, oral HPV is NOT transmitted by sharing drinks or simple kissing on the lips. It is unknown if penetrating type kissing is capable of transferring an infection. HPV is NOT transferred by inanimate objects example people be sharing a spoon or on surfaces such as cups. Here are two websites that might be helpful in the search for a true definitive answer.
http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpvandoropharyngealcancer.htm
http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/hpv/common-hpv-questions.php#sthash.JvOt3MGy.dpuf
In general, most studies state when an outbreak does occur to avoid contact with that person such as kissing or oral sex. These are the two most common modes of transmission. To be safe long term, you should avoid contact with any type of salvia transmission.
http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpvandoropharyngealcancer.htm
http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/hpv/common-hpv-questions.php#sthash.JvOt3MGy.dpuf
In general, most studies state when an outbreak does occur to avoid contact with that person such as kissing or oral sex. These are the two most common modes of transmission. To be safe long term, you should avoid contact with any type of salvia transmission.
First I want to differentiate that Herpes is different from HPV that Dr. Marra responded with. Hopefully he just didn't read your question well. But the CDC is an excellent resource. Most of us in the US were infected with Herpes type I virus-oral type in our childhood. I believe stats are upwards of 95% plus of US population. As adults some people have outbreaks of oral Herpes as "canker" sores or "cold" sores on the lips. Certainly during outbreak periods there is a lot of live virus on those lesions. I doubt she contracted it as you describe, But probably nothing is impossible. Say and you are likely already infected with Herpes I virus. I am making more assumptions than I like and you might want to be a little more concerned if it was a Herpes II (genital) outbreak. See your or her physician and most OB-GYN doctors are very good with STD's. Or see an STD clinic. They are another great resource also. I hope this helps. You need to ask the person with the outbreak some more questions to really answer this question.
Not likely for the Herpes Virus to be transmitted this way. Using the straw of someone during an outbreak right after them yes. The virus is very contagious during and outbreak as each sore's center is teaming with viral particles looking for new skin or mucosa to contact and infect. HPV not so much. You need more specific situations already described to contract it.
There are two types of Herpes Simplex Virus HSV-1 which is related to oral herpes and HSV-2 which is related to genital Herpes. Both types do not survive long on any surface and usually are spread thru intimate contact. To be spread by contact there must be lesions with active virus. The symptoms vary with small fluid filled blisters that break and form painful sores that crust and heal over after several days. Unfortunately people with either type of herpes may remain symptom free. The best test is blood test to determine if you or her have herpes.
Is it possible? yes, likely? no. If the person with Herpes outbreak (note, NOT HPV) drank exclusively from a straw, without touching the rim of the cup and your girlfriend only drank from the cup, not touching the straw, it's unlikely that she got infected. Although highly contagious, Herpes Virus usually requires a direct contact for infection. Plus as was mentioned, chances are the virus is already in her and your bodies anyway. That said, not a bad idea to be vigilant and stay away from kissing for the time being, just to see if any symptoms develop.