I bought a lip balm which looked , when I opened it, completely untouched. The container also had small sticky strip which protects it from being tampered with , but it was not like it had a protective cellophane all around it  which one has to tear to get it opened- what I am trying to say is that there may be a possibility to have it opened, and than press the little protective strip again. However, as I mentioned, it definitely looked untouched when opened. The sales lady in Nordstrom opened it for me right there, and closed it. It sat in my house for more that 24 hours before I opened it again and used it. Lo and behold, I am now freaking out: what if it was used by someone?  Apart from my fear that it may have been used before I purchased it, I have no other reason to believe it was used, or suspect it. My question is: even if it had been used by someone, what would be the chance of getting herpes like this? Especially considering the time between my buying it, and when I used , maybe even longer, because there was nobody there but me). Would the fact that in the meantime it was closed (lipstick form lip balm), somehow ensure survival of the herpes virus on it if it had been used?  Please reassure me that this is not herpes risk for me ( obviously, I obsess). Thank you very much in advance. 

Thanks for your question.  I see that you also asked Dr. Handsfield a question along the same general lines - obsessive worries about experiences that could, conceptually, present a risk for an infection of some kind.

The lip balm that you are concerned about presents zero risks for acquiring HSV.  If it was to be a concern, which again it is not, it would be HSV 1, the cause of the common cold sore, which about half the population has. 

You mentioned that the salesperson at Nordstrom opened the lip balm for you at the store and closed it. Could she have removed any protective cellophane when she opened it?  If it had the strip over the top, I think you are absolutely fine.  That is there for a reason, and it is to give added protection against contamination. 

Let's say we go way way out on a limb and say that it had been tampered with.  That person, in order for it to be a risk, would have had to rub it over their own lips, replaced the sticky strip, and put it back on the shelf, without anyone noticing in a big department store.  And to what end would that have been done, do you think?  You would certainly have noticed had it been used, the edges would be worn down.  In addition, if it sat for 24 hours without anyone using it, any small amount of virus would likely be long dead. 

This is not a herpes risk for you.

it sounds like you are aware that you have some obsessive thoughts about health issues.  Are you seeing someone about this?  the best treatment for OCD is a combination of treatment from specifically a cognitive behavior therapist and anxiety medication, research has shown.  I hope you are pursuing these avenues so you can live a more relaxed and worry-free life.

Terri

I think you can definitely donate to ASHA, yes, probably at their home page.

I know that herpes is not always easy to understand so I really don't mind if you post questions about "is this a risk" or "is that a risk".  I'll always tell you.  Sometimes, I might have some shorter answers for you, especially if it's black and white, but I really don't mind at all.

Terri