Orlando, FL
A 26-year-old female asked:
Can the hpv virus spread through sharing towels, bed sheets, etc?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Simon Kimmanswered
Urology 18 years experience
Unlikely, but... : A 1997 study in the journal of infectious disease demonstrated that hpv-16 showed 100%, 50%, and 30% of infectivity when dehydrated on a surface for 1, 3, and 7 days, respectively, at room temperature. But the real-world transmissibility of genital hpv when present on fomites such as towels, underwear, or gloves is unknown. I would be conservative, and take precautions to avoid trasmission.
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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Dec 10, 2013
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