[Question #12939] Oral hsv

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3 months ago
What is the risk of oral herpes if I accidently use a spoon or utensils that someone used and i know they get cold sores
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
3 months ago
The risk is so very very small - probably one in a million.  If I was in that situation, I wouldn't give this a second thought. 

Terri
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3 months ago
Thanks as i was worried as I know people i am around get cold sores. So not to worry about the use of spoon or utensil then. Should I be concerned about towels or anything else 
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
3 months ago
We recommend that people use their own towels.  Towels can stay warm and moist for a while and those are conditions that herpes likes.  We don't know of any cases of herpes being transmitted via towels, but  to be extra careful, probably way too careful, we recommend that people don't share towels.  Does that makes sense?

terri
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3 months ago
Makes sense. In terms of utensils or surfaces nothing to worry about? I can avoid using the same towels to be extra safe 
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
3 months ago
I know of no cases of transmission via utensils but I guess I might recommend not sharing a straw with someone with a cold sore?

terri
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3 months ago
Is hsv blood work something recommended 
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
3 months ago
No, due to the high rate of false positives on this test.  If you develop sores, then have them swab tested but I doubt that you will.

Terri
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