How long does the herpes virus 1 and 2 survive outside the human body, like on surfaces? can you catch herpes this way?

Up to 3 - 4 hours: It's possible, but not super likely. You have to have a pretty large quantity of virus hanging out on the inanimate object (say for instance a straw), and it has to come into direct contact with your mucous membrane (say for instance your lips), for transmission to occur. Here's some info on herpes: http://health.Nytimes.Com/health/guides/disease/herpes-simplex/print.Html.