Herpes - How easy is it to spread herpes around?

How easy is it to spread herpes around?

Today my step sister received some frightening news, there is a 50- 50 chance she could have genital herpes. I'm also starting to worry because I'm afraid of her spreading it if she does have it! How contagious is it? Can you get it from sitting on the same toilet, using the same shower, or even sharing clothes? I admit I'm pretty ignorant on this subject. I would just like to know more information on this, because I really don't need to be catching herpes! Anything you know would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Also, i've shared makeup, lotions, and clothes with her in the past couple months, and I hang out in her room with her sometimes.. so does that give me a greater chance of catching anything? I am really paranoid! She got it from oral sex, not intercourse. She is a virgin. I'm not sure if that makes a difference though.

Public Comments

Herpes is spread by contact not on clothes or toilets,etc. Read all about Herpes here: http://www.herpes.com/
Genital herpes is an infection of the genitals, buttocks, or anal area caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV. HSV type 1 most commonly infects the mouth and lips, causing sores known as fever blisters or cold sores. It is also an important cause of sores to the genitals. HSV type 2 is the usual cause of genital herpes, but it also can infect the mouth. TRANSMISSION If you have genital herpes infection, you can easily pass or transmit the virus to an uninfected partner during sex. Most people get genital herpes by having sex with someone who is shedding the herpes virus either during an outbreak or during a period with no symptoms. People who do not know they have herpes play an important role in transmission. You can transmit herpes through close contact other than sexual intercourse, through oral sex or close skin-to-skin contact, for example. The virus is spread rarely, if at all, by objects such as a toilet seat or hot tub. Reduce your risk of spreading herpes People with herpes should follow a few simple steps to avoid spreading the infection to other places on their body or other people. Avoid touching the infected area during an outbreak, and wash your hands after contact with the area. Do not have sexual contact (vaginal, oral, or anal) from the time of first genital symptoms until symptoms are completely gone. Hope this helps.
Genital herpes is a viral infection mainly affecting the skin on or around your genitals, which you can catch through having sex, including oral sex, with an infected person. Once infected with a genital herpes virus, it stays in your body forever. Some people with genital herpes have outbreaks of genital sores that keep coming back, while other people have no symptoms at all and don’t even know they have the virus in their body. So it's possible to transmit the virus to sexual partners even if you don't have symptoms (though this is less likely than when you have active lesions). Mostly, you won’t know whether or not your sexual partner is infected with one of the viruses that cause genital herpes. In fact, most people don’t know themselves whether or not they are infected. So, when having sex with a new partner, it’s always best to follow these safer sex tips. Protecting yourself and your partner Always use a condom during vaginal or anal sex. During oral sex, always use a condom to avoid direct mouth to penis contact, or a dental dam to avoid direct mouth to vagina or mouth to anus contact. A dental dam is a small sheet of latex that is held over the entrance to the vagina or anus as a protective barrier during oral sex. Keep only one side of the dam next to the genital area, remember to keep your mouth on the other side of the dam (don’t turn it over) and don’t reuse it. Note. If you always use a condom or a dental dam during sexual contact, you significantly reduce your risk of catching or passing on genital herpes. However, a slight risk remains because the area of infected skin may not always be covered by the condom or dental dam. If you have genital herpes Avoid all sexual contact during an outbreak of genital herpes, that is, when genital sores are present. Always follow the above safe sex practices between outbreaks, as the virus can be passed on even when no sores are visible. Talk to your doctor about treatment options such as antiviral medications, which can reduce your number of outbreaks and help make them less severe and more short lived. The use of antiviral medications as suppressive therapy (along with condom use during sex) can help reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to a non-infected partner. Discuss genital herpes with your partner. Your partner might consider having a blood test for the genital herpes virus. Even if the blood test shows your partner has also been infected with a genital herpes virus, safe sex practices are still recommended, especially when sores are present. Herpes can be transferred from one part of the body to another during an outbreak, so avoid touching another part of your body, especially your eyes, after touching the affected area. Wash your hands often during an outbreak.
It is very contagious and can be spread by even a finger touhing another body part. However, outside the body (like toilet seat) the virus lives for 48 hours. No one NEEDS to catch herpes, but don't treat her like a leper either.
no hun....you cant get it from all those objects you just named.