Walkersville, MD
A 29-year-old female asked:
Can i get oral herpes from sharing drinking straw with infected person with no cold sore at the time?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Yash Khannaanswered
Family Medicine 59 years experience
NO YOU CAN NOT BUT: No you can not get herpes by sharing drinking straw.Oral hepes is caused by hsv1 virus which causes cold sores.Most people have had this virus in childhood and if you share a straw with someone who has no lesions there is may be theoretically very very small risk of getting infected but in practice it is not really possible.
But as an advice you should not share straws as it is not hygienic.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. J. Lawrence Dohan commented
Dermatology 59 years experience
It is possible but very unlikely
Jan 17, 2014
Dr. Dennis Higginbothamanswered
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology 32 years experience
Risky: An infected person can shed virus that could result in transmission without having an obvious lesion. In america at lest 1 in 4 people have herpes - 90% of them do not know they have it, and 3% of them are shedding virus (they are contagious) at any one time. Better to have your own straw and not take a chance.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Robert Killian commented
General Practice 30 years experience
Actually 3 in four people have "oral' Herpes now known as Herpes Type One. That means 75% of us are infected with this virus. 1 in 4 have Herpes Type Two, the 'genital' or 'STD" herpes. Viral shedding occurs in all humans infected with either herpes virus, but it is at unpredictable and untestable rates or times.
Jan 17, 2014
Dr. Dennis Higginbotham commented
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology 32 years experience
Provided original answer
That is correct and there is now very little distinction between infection sites for HSV Type One and HSV Type Two. Either subtype can and does result in infection with the resultant painful lesions, orally and / or genitally. As Dr Killian points out, viral shedding (for both types in any location) is unpredictable.
Jan 18, 2014
Similar questions
A 35-year-old member asked:
If you drink after someone with a cold sore, what are the chances of getting oral herpes?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jeffrey Jarvisanswered
Dentistry 39 years experience
Likely: If the person has an active visible lesion, and you shared a drink, it is very likely that you were in contact with the virus. You may already have it though. Not everyone who has the virus gets an actual outbreak as it can remain dormant. Certain trigger events, susch as trauma, a cold, extra uv light, stress, may cause an outbreak, just like it did with your friend. Stay away from outbreaks.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Related questions
A 29-year-old female asked:
Can you get oral herpes from sharing straw with infected person ?
Dr. Warren Wolfeanswered
Family Medicine 60 years experience
Yes: Herpes is common on the lips and is very contagious.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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A 33-year-old female asked:
Can you get oral herpes from sharing a drink with someone that has herpes and is taking medication for it?
Dr. Stephen Richardsanswered
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Yes: If someone has an active lesion (despite medication) transfer could be possible if the lips touch the same area on the glass.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:
If i have a cold sore and was drinking water and some of the water backsplashed into my eye will I get eye herpes?
Dr. Hiep Leanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 44 years experience
By theory it seems possible but not in reality. If that happens we will advise people not to wash their faces when they have cold sores, don't you thi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Jul 17, 2021
Dr. Hunter Handsfield commented
Infectious Disease 55 years experience
People with herpes at one site are immune (or at least highly resistant) to new infections with the same virus type at different body sites.
Jul 17, 2021
A 19-year-old female asked:
Can you get herpes from sharing a plate, or someone touching their cold sore and then ur pizza and then you eating it?
Dr. Robert Jacksonanswered
Dermatology 45 years experience
Unlikely: It would be highly unlikely. Usually from skin to skin contact.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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A 22-year-old male asked:
Can I get herpes from sharing food? We didnt share utensils but we shared a plate of food and saw later that the individual had a cold sore?
Dr. Hunter Handsfieldanswered
Infectious Disease 55 years experience
No risk, no worry: Did you ask a similar question recently? Oral herpes is not transmitted by shared food and rarely by shared utensils, drinking glasses, etc. HSV is tr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
25 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Jun 17, 2018
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