Can you get genital herpes by touching inanimate objects someone with a cold sore has touched and then touching yourself after?

No: You have to have direct contact with another cold sore or genial herpes in the genital area in order to contract herpes of any kind in the genital area

Two Herpes: Oral herpes is caused by HSV 1, also called Herpes Simplex. Genital Herpes is caused by a different virus, known as HSV type Two. One type of herpes does not turn into another type of herpes. They are separate and distinct. If one has HSV 1 they can still get HSV 2. If they got HSV 2 first they can never be infected with HISV 1.

Cold sore transmissi: Leanna, I would think that unlikely, especially if long time lapse. However, it is very easy to self inoculate. Thats is, you touch cold sore on mouth and then touch genitals, can result in getting herpes on genitals and vice versa. Best is no sexual contact if you suspect herpes outbreak anywhere !

The probability is: very low, but it is theoretically possible. The virus can only live a couple of hours outside the body on an inanimate object, so contact must be almost immediate. Also, it must enter the body through a mucus membrane or wound.

No. Herpes is direct: An inanimate object cannot safely harbor HSV from a cold sore and then allow someone else to touch that and become infected. Herpes is transmitted by direct human to human contact, or on occasion by infected fluids say on a shared straw. I don't think you have to worry about this case - it wasn't a real exposure. Good to always protect yourself however and practice good hygiene.