Mythbusting Genital Herpes
One of the most common myths that I correct is that herpes can be transmitted via inanimate objects, like toilet seats. If you think about how genitals do or do not come into contact with the toilet seat when it is used, one could process that transmission via this method is really so unlikely. I would say virtually impossible.
Let's even say that someone has a buttocks lesion and sits down on a toilet and leaves virus on the seat. In order for transmission to happen, the next person that comes into the bathroom has to come in very quickly, since virus probably wouldn't live long on a cold, dry surface. But in addition to that, the next person would need a break in the buttocks skin at exactly the same location where the virus was on the toilet seat, and exact match. Virus does not penetrate intact buttocks skin, nor it is shed from intact buttocks or thigh skin. The skin is too thick to shed; shedding occurs from genital skin or mucus membrane type skin. So that covers toilet seats, the most common suspected culprit for non-human to human transmission.
Swimming pools and hot tubs are also not a concern as they have large quantities of water to dilute small quantities of virus, and also have chemicals that will kill virus. I do suggest that people use their own towels as towels stay moist and warm and virus could conceivably live there, though I think it is not likely at all. Herpes could live a short time on sex toys, and if used during a sexual encounter, could pass virus between partners. But other than that, there is nothing to worry about in terms of inanimate objects and transmission.
Related Topics: Answers About Sexual Issues, What Can You Catch In Restrooms?
Technorati Tags: genitalherpes, transmission
Let's even say that someone has a buttocks lesion and sits down on a toilet and leaves virus on the seat. In order for transmission to happen, the next person that comes into the bathroom has to come in very quickly, since virus probably wouldn't live long on a cold, dry surface. But in addition to that, the next person would need a break in the buttocks skin at exactly the same location where the virus was on the toilet seat, and exact match. Virus does not penetrate intact buttocks skin, nor it is shed from intact buttocks or thigh skin. The skin is too thick to shed; shedding occurs from genital skin or mucus membrane type skin. So that covers toilet seats, the most common suspected culprit for non-human to human transmission.
Swimming pools and hot tubs are also not a concern as they have large quantities of water to dilute small quantities of virus, and also have chemicals that will kill virus. I do suggest that people use their own towels as towels stay moist and warm and virus could conceivably live there, though I think it is not likely at all. Herpes could live a short time on sex toys, and if used during a sexual encounter, could pass virus between partners. But other than that, there is nothing to worry about in terms of inanimate objects and transmission.
Related Topics: Answers About Sexual Issues, What Can You Catch In Restrooms?
Technorati Tags: genitalherpes, transmission
126 Comments:
i have bumps on my scrotum and penis and in the back of my throat. can you tell me wat it is?
thanks doc.
Anonymous,
Make an appointment and have your health provider do an examination and give you a diagnosis. Without seeing it, there's no way to tell you what it could be.
i have many little ball like moles growing on top of each other what could this be?
re-phase
I havemany small round like balls(moles) growing on my left sag what couls this be?
Here is a beauty of a question. Can a person give themselves genital herpes? As long as I can remember, I have gotten cold sores. Not often, maybe once every couple of years. I do notice that when I am run down and tired and under a lot of stress the outbreaks are more common. However, a few years ago I noticed some small puss filled bumps on my hands. They come and go similar to my cold sores. I have never had an outbreak of genital herpes until now. I am in a monogamous relationship and have been for quite some time now. I do masterbate often (hey I'm a guy). I am under a huge amount of stress right now and hope to believe that my partner has been sexually faithful to me. Is my question at all possible or have I just had a dormant stage of genetil herpes?
What about a dirty tanning bed? can a person get the disease from a tanning bed?
i was diagnosed with Type 1 HSV in the genital area. I have recently begun a new relationship and I don't know how to broach the subject. Any help?
To those of you asking specific questions about bumps and symptoms, try visiting our Genital Herpes Center for more information.
Thank you.
THERE IS RELIEF IN HOPE:
I have been living with genital herpes for 2 years. Life does go on! I was mortified and devistated when I found out. Thank god I just got married and we found out together. I take no added pills like Valtrax or acylovir. And do have an occasion break out. But life does go on. And herpes did not end my life.
is my question possible or do i have a dornamt stage
anonymous 6:30,
Please visit the message board for answers to specific questions. I'm not sure which question you are referring to here.
Thank you,
WebMD Blog Administrator
I have just been diagnosed with genital hsv1 and am not ready to discuss it with my boyfreind just yet. I really want to get more informed. I may still be on the tail end of my very first breakout ever. My question is can I spread it to him by just giving him oral sex? I have been able to stay away from him up till now, but he misses me and I don't want to take any chances of spreading it to him, if per chance he is not the source.
i have red sores around my genitals. i have gotten 5 in the past year. they hurt alot when pressure on them but i dont think its possible for me to have herpes because ive never had sex im only a teenager. can someone answer. i dont want to talk about it to anyone i know because its akward. please help
around the head of my penis it is red and if you look very closely they're bumps it is a little painful.
this is blogger 9:57pm i also think i may just be beggining to get pearly penile papules..will there be some pain and redness? please tell me if you think that is it, and what i can do for it.
my roommate has herpes and i was wondering can herpes get spread even if she's not having a breakout?
my roommate has herpes and i was wondering if herpes can get spread even when she doesn't have a breakout?
I have just been diagnosed with type 2 HSV. I was wondering if there was any way that I could pass this on to my daughter and family that I live with.
I have type 2 HSV...and I was readin a bit about "shedding" and how it can be passed on to other people during this time. I have kids...will they be at risk???
how can I have sex without spreading herpes?
i have many little white bumps on penis and one of the sweeled up and it hurts very bad, what could this be?
Question about HSV-2: During an outbreak, can I inadvertently spread the virus (i.e by scratching) to another area of my body, like eyes or armpits etc?
If my partner and I already both have HSV-2, is there any need for safe sex with each other? Can we make it worse?
my boyfriend had a cold sore and we had oral sex a few day later. i have all these blister like sores on my vagina. they are extremly painful and burns really bad when i urniate. could this be gential herpes.
People do us a favor, use a condemn, use or hand or better yet stay faithful and get married to one partner and stay with that one person.
hey...i have like little bumps in that area (male) and they dont hurt and it seems like they've always been there is that normal?
I have genital herpes. I have only had one breakout and I think I getting another one I have only one sore and know that its brought on my stress. Is there anyway I can prevent it from becoming a full blown breakout?
For some of you younger (and obviously male) posters, may I give some advice? If you haven't had sex and you are having one or two "blisters" that are swelling and filling with pus, it might be an ingrown hair. A lot of people get them in the pubic area because well, it's hairy, it's crowded (penis), it's covered up with underwear and then pants, we don't exactly check our skin with a fine tooth comb every day, and it happens, just like arms and legs. Sometimes they work themselves out, sometimes they don't. If they don't, you have to take care of it yourself. Sure, it can hurt a little, but, it saves you from more pain in the long run. And an embarassing trip to the doc to say "I've never had sex, but I think this is herpes", and it turns out to be nothing more than an infected and buried hair folicle.
Everyone else, please be careful. It's not just your life that is in your hands when you have sex. It's the other person, your future children, your potential partners down the road, your current partner's potential partners, etc...
My partner has recently been tested + for HSV2. She has never had a genital out break, only a small lesion on her back. What is the liklihood of her shedding virus from the vagina? I've looked all around and can't get any reasonable answer. Thanks, anynmous
i think i have what is called penile papules. Is it possible that the PP are all over my penis?
i have a pink sore in my genital area. it only comes most times after i shave and stuff. could it be some type on ingrown pubic hair or something else?
How can I tell the difference between a genital ingrown hair and genital herpes? I have a reacurring cist that sometimes has puss, but does not scab or cause any other symtoms. I am very concerned and confused.
my cousin was just diagnosed with gential herpes. can i catch it from her without sexual contact?
my friend was just diagnosed & i wanted to know if i can catch it from her without sexual contact? please help.
To anonymous & "c" above:
How Genital Herpes is Transmitted. Hope that helps!
can you contract genital herpes by sharing a drink with someone who has it?
There was the question of whether genital herpes can be spread by sharing a drink with someone and it doesn't seem to be answered? It said it can be spread by kissing, so if you have herpes do you have to tell someone before you even kiss them?
To the commenter above:
To ask questions specific to your own situation, please visit Terri Warren's message board. There was also a link posted above in response to questions which will take you to information about how genital herpes is transmitted.
i have red bumps on my penis they dont hurt or look like herpes fill me in im freakin
To anonymous 2:00 pm:
Please see the link directly above yours to Terri's message board. That's the place to ask specific questions about your situation.
However, the only way to know what these bumps are for certain is to have them examined in person by a qualified health professional.
i had a circumcision late in life when i was 16. I have really tiny bump on the under side of my penis. I dont think its anything to worry about or else my doctor wouldve said something. My girlfriend wanted to know.
I have three white bumps on my penis, they dont hurt unless i press hard against them. I havent had sex with anyone in over a year what could it be?
hey...i have like little bumps in that area (male) and they dont hurt and it seems like they've always been there is that normal?
i get a canker sore at least once a month and know that they are compleatly different than cold sores but can i still transmit them to my partner if i have one and have oral sex?
Can Herpes be spread through blood exposure or blood transfusions?
i have little "whiteheads" on my penis, but they look like white bumps i have under my eyes that dont go away, any idea on what it could be? they dont hurt and are pinhead size, i also founs a small round spot of loose sking under the head of my penis in the "line" donw the underside of my penis
I have a bad sore in my mouth and keep on coming back almost every week? don't know what to do lately i see in my vagiana too can you help me what is this
I have tiny whiteheads mostly on the bottom shaft of my penis. They look like a pimple because when i squeeze them a spec of white stuff comes out. i also have little red bumps and the underside of the line om my penis. my doc says it's nothing, but how do i get rid of them.
Is there any possibility of getting oral herpes by sharing drinks?
I notice I have small cauliflower skin tags on the inside of my legs by my groin is this jock itch or herpes?
hy,
I`m 18 and since I was 12 or 13 I started to have this weird ,small swellings on my penis.Now there on the testicules as well.There white and look like the ones I have on my face,just below my eyes.When the doctor sawd the ones on my face ,she told me that it`s because of the colesterol (colesterol bubbles)or something like that. They don`t hurt or something but they are there and it`s annoing to see them.I just hope It`s not a disease.I did`n have any sexuals relations yet .
hope u can help me with some info.
nov 18th 7:03 has the exact same symptoms as me. I have a dot on the underside of my penis that looked a lot like an in-grown hair but developed over two weeks into a whitehead which ruptured under the slightest pressure. It doesn't hurt at all. Is this a pimple or something worse?
Wondering why none of the questions are being answered. I have 2 small red bumps on my penis and 3 on my testicles that don't hurt at all. The one's on my testicles will have a tiny bit of puss like a pimple when I squeze them. I went to get a std test and the nurse said they don't test for them but she said they could be persperation bumps. I had also just shaved for the first time and have always had sensitive skin so I think they could just be ingrown hairs. And I am a scorpio and aparently there can be problems in the genital area. It sounds like it could just be nothing. I hope. But I would really like to be able to get rid of them. Some help would be nice.
To anonymous 12/13:
Terri answers specific questions on her message board. Keep in mind that she will not be able to tell you if a specific rash might be herpes or what it might be. Only an in-person examination by a qualified health practitioner will do that.
Take care!
can hpv/genital warts be transmitted to a babys skin during birth my daughter get these little bumps on her arms and legs sometimes face could they be warts???? if so how do you get rid of it ?
Hi, I'm 16, my boyfriend and I have been having sex for about 2 months now. When we first started, we used condoms but we frequently have oral sex. I have had 9 sexual partners including my current boyfriend, and I have been exposed to HPV and I'm almost positive I've contracted it. I sometimes have discharge, it's not bad, and normally not smelly. But very often it sometimes hurts to pee and after I go I feel like i have to go again and its very painful, and I've had many UTIs which I've taken antibiotics for and cured. I had what I thought was a yeast infection a few months ago where my vagina itched very badly, but I treated it with monistat and it went away. I hope I dont have any STDs, but 2 days ago my boyfriend and I had vaginal sex without a condom, then anal. This morning he woke up with tiny pimple like blisters on the head and shaft of his penis and he says they hurt very bad, I'm really scared he contracted something from me, please help.
my wife & I have been married for 21 yrs. We have been faithfull the entire time. she has recently been getting a pimple like bump on her vaginal lips. It gets really sore & when it pops pus (like a pimple) come out then it starts to bleed. after it pops & bleeds it usually goes away by the next day. What could this be?
Iv remained sexualy abstinate my whole life, and around a year or two ago I started to get what is called papules, they first started in clusters and spread on my penis, they have hair and are not herpes i know this much. I was not circumsized as a child and for the most part i disobeyed my parents when they warned me to keep it clean. After enough was enough i took action and did research, i kept the forskin clean and washed daily more than twice, I started useing a powder agent to keep it dry and clean, and so far its been about 2 weeks since iv started to do any type of self treatmen. I know i should go and see what my dermatologist has to say, but i just dont think my parents would understand or even believe me when i tell them i know what it is. I have a girlfriend to so this is even more scary, im keeping it from her as well and will not be doing anything sexual until they are gone, but iv heard a lot of self treatments like toothpaste, acne creams, etc. Please i would really like to know if there is anything i can do other than getting the carbon laser treatment, or actually being diagnosed and have to go through that process of shame.
p.s, iv had to go through this for to long, id really like a response that helps me and dosent send me to another educationl site on papules, im fully aware of what they are, i just want a treatment, and why dont doctors warn parents about this?
I have small white bumps on my testicoles and have no idea what they are i have kind of alot plz tell me its nothing serious, thnx doc.
I have two small bumps on the right side of my penis, just below my head. I am a bit concerned because I don't remember them being there, please help.
I am a 42 year old male who has developed brown mole like spots and dark patches of dryish skin on my penis. It is unsightly and irratating and worrys me. i showed this to my doctor and he told me that it was just outside normal for men my age, i dont know what he meant by that but ive had this problem for almost 4 years now and it hasnt cleared. any ideas, this effect my sexual relationship with my wife and if theres anything i can do about it id like to know. Please help if you can. Thank you.
I have tiny whiteheads mostly on the bottom shaft of my penis. They look like a pimple because when i squeeze them a spec of white stuff comes out. my doc says it's nothing, but how do i get rid of them.
mine is the same as charles, I've shown 3 doctors, they all didn't pay much attention said it was nothing.
Now I'm getting a lot more and they are moving up too. Becoming more noticeable.
I would like to get rid of them. Mine dont 'pop' and seem to actually be the skin, not puss underneath.
January 15, 2008 3:51:00 PM EST
yeah i have that problem too, i have no idea what they are and they keep coming...and staying i have no idea how to get ride of them... and btw i have little tiny hairs coming out of them, so i think they are in-grown hairs
ive tried a few things that have gotten rid of a few of them
use soap (like a bar of soap) and scrub the penis when its stiff it makes the more noticeable ones go down, but to make them go away completely i dont know what to tell you so if anyone has any answers at all id love to hear them
thanks!
For those of you with the white bumps with no pus or that won't "pop" and your doctor said it's nothing, do some research on HPV or genital warts. It's really common and the treatment is usually to burn the warts off, probably why he played it off as nothing because who wants to go through that!? Some can be treated with a cream so check into it.
And as for the guy with the longtime wife and the recurring lesion, that sounds like an ingrown hair to me. Frequently a pimple/ingrown hair will recur in the same spot because the pore becomes stretched and more prone clog again and again. Try a warm compress and a little less freaking out.
i've never had sex before, or anything relating to it, but i have all these tiny bumps on my penis. some pop and others dont and some have very tiny hairs coming out of them... its kinda gross and i want them to go away... it would also be nice to know what they are too. if anyone knows anything i would appreciate some advice! thanks
guys-as a 36 yo male-i've had MANY of the same ques posed here over the years (and i'm obviously here now looking for something else as well). i was EXTREMELY reluctant to have a full STD exam w/my dr. if you don't know-a male STD exam includes a swab of the urethra. when i first learned of this procedure (at 19) and saw the 7" swab-i changed my mind on the idea! BUT...having had one only 6months ago, i can tell you they only swab the first inch or so-i took two 1mg xanex (prescribed) before hand, and honestly...it really wasn't that bad. it was worse imagining-than actually having done. if in doubt, and uncomfortable-tell the receptionist your appt is for 'anxiety' (which is not REALLY lying) and explain to doc you want STD exam. the piece of mind goes a LONG, LONG way...then make sure you wear a condom 100% of the time (i have no children, had a vasecotomy at 32, and still do). and like i tell my friends-find a dr you like! there's 100's of them in the phone book! be aware, be careful and good luck! -jb
im on birth control, and right before i was supposed to start my period, like light brown stuff was coming out instead of blood...What is that? Is there something wrong?
I have had bubble like bumps in the same spot in the back of my mouth before but they were easy to pop. Now i have the same kind of bubble inside my mouth just below my lip, but i cant pop it. Just wondering if you could help me out. Thanks
My mother is diabetic and she recently has woken up with pimples in the vaginal area. what would cause that?
I never had sex before but i have what looks like a pimple on the side of my penis. I popped it and the head of the pimple came out and everything but now it has tunrned pinkish white like a normal pimple would and everyday i pop it and everyday there is more and more puss it never goes a way...its like an endless pimple...if you know what it is can you please help me.
My boyfriend of 2yrs and I had oral sex about 3days ago I noticed a fever blister on his lip yesterday Is it possible for me to have HSV II If so how soon can I get tested
john q-
assuming no sex means no oral sex-i'd say it really could just simply be a pimple-it does happen-and we can even get pimples on the inside of the mouth. it may just be taking awhile for it to heal-given the environment-that's not that unusual either. i'd suggest keeping the area clean, dry and apply neo-sporin or another triple anti-boitic (i'm a big believer in cleaning the spot w/rubbing alchol as well). good luck. -jb
how can I get rid of penile papules? Thanks.
this might sound so silly i may say myself, but last night my friend and i went to the beach just to hang out when two older men came and approched us. we were smoking hooka and they asked if they could smoke out of it so we said yes cause we were scared...there is no way we could get anything by sharing a hooka pipe right?
I have little pimple like things on my penis most on the lower end and some of them "pop" and some of them don't so i was wondering if anyone could help out that would be great...thanks
I have one little red bump on my penis and it seems to be some sort of zit, but I am not sure. It's not very big, it doesn't hurt, maybe it's just some sort of zit or wart of some sort. Is this dangerous, enough to have to go have it looked at?
Is it possible to contract herpes in this scenario: A person with herpes touches their genitals and touchs a door knob with the same hand, immediatley after which an uninfected person touches the same knob. Then, some time later that person (uninfected,male) urinates putting his hands in direct contact with his penis, would the virus be spread?
I never had sex but I have red marks on the head of my penis, are there any other ways to contract herpes other than intercourse/oral/anal/kissing?
i have two white vaginal bumps. they look a bit like cold sores or popped pimples.there's no puss. my girlfriend recently gave me oral sex. i'm not sure if this could be from her sucking on my clitoris or if its just something normal. she doesnt have any type of std, and we are both virgins. what could this be?
I've got about 5 little bumps on my penis and my scrotum. They DO have hair growing from them but is this something I should really worry about?
i have a red dot on my penis that resembles a pimple and it was originally a whitehead but i popped it and now it wont go away and wen i pop it it leaks blood
okay. i dated this girl, we had unprotected sex for a month and a half. since then i have had a few red marks, i dont want to say bumps, but definitely marks. and when they appear they are there for weeks and sometime a month at a time, ususally only one at a time though. it wasnt until i used some topical cream that they didnt last that long. they are not painful at all. i went to a clinic and they said it wasnt a std. the first thing out of the doctors mouth was that she was sure it wasnt a std. but what else could it be? for eight months now it has been off and on. but NEVER has it been painful or anything that pusses or anything close. its more like a bug bite but not raised. so confused right now. could i have an allergic reaction to something or could the doctor have been wrong? i have bad skin and i can only use sensitive laundry soap for i am allergic to metals and have very dry and sensitive skin. its just confusing when the doctor says i dont have an std but yet this is something that never seems to completely go away and its only seemed to happen since i was with this one girl. i would go back to the doctor but i have no medical insurance, so that makes the problem worse. PLEASE HELP
If you were to use a sex toy, but you washed with soap after the first user is it still posibble for you to contract their sexual disease?
i have 2 questions...1. how can u tell razor bumps from genital herpes...2. my boyfriend gets blisters like once a yr on his penis...his skin gets very dry...he says it comes from him not getting circumsized...can that cause blisters on his skin
I have had oral sex before but never real sex but yet i get this big like an inch width bump right on the top of my vagina. It doesnt puss but it does hurt when i apply pressure to it
can anyone tell me what it is
I have a sort of zit like bump on my testicle, right at the top next to the penis and my leg. It looks like a giant pimple, or zit, and when I squeez it, pus comes out. Any idea what is going on? I have not ever had any sexual contact with anybody ever in my life, I am a complete virgin.
This is for the person that posted on March 19, 2008 at 11:09:00 PM EDT. Like 3 posts up I think. I am un-circumsized and I don't get dry skin and bumps on my penis. I'm not too sure he's being honest with you, or maybe he isn't aware of anything wrong. I would reccomend the two of you go get tested together.
I recently noticed a sizeably large single pimple on my penis. But I have never had sex, there are no other symptoms. I have no idea what this is. Any help?
If my husband and I have always been faithful to each other than 15 years ago can something come up that many years later? I do know for a fact we've been faithful for 15 years plus !!!!
My partner has genital herpes and I'm wondering if I can get it in my throat by giving him oral sex????
I am only 14 and on the head of my penis there is what i think is called penile papules and i was wondering if it is and STD or herpes or something else...and will it ever go away
I am 19 and was on the Nuvaring for the past 6 months straight. I have always had my period 3 days in I stop bleeding for 1-2 days tops. I have just stopped usage of the ring. But my last period was unusual. Instead of stopping for 1-2 days I stopped for 4 and was bleeding heavily for a day. And now I have brown vaginal discharge. I don't know what is wrong?
i scratch my testicles all the time and can not find any thing to relief.
Hi i am 17 and I think I might have PPP or pearly penile...whatever its called. But idk how to tell my parents. I would like them to just GO AWAY with out telling them though. What should I DO!!!
about two weeks ago i sterted to notice there little bumps on the bottom skin of my penis like, where the penis starts,and and there small and there are about 4 or 5 of them, i visited my doctor and they wouldent tel me what it is.
I have been dating a fellow that i met. He wants to have sexual relations, but i won't until i find out what is on his penis. It's like dry skin patches. if they are blisters I have not seen them. these blisters that i read about do they look like dry skin patches when they are healing? And if it turns out to be herpes is it safe to have sex with him while they are healing? Or should I wait until there isn't anything there? I really don't know what to do.... HELP!
Can a herpes eye infection be transmitted to the genital area or is that uncommon?
I have small white bumps on the shaft and base of my penis but they do not hurt and there is no pain when I pee. Thy don't seem to be pimpals but I am lost as to weather i should be worried or not.
i have a small little red and white bump on my clitoris. it only hurts when its messed with but other than that it doesnt. do you know what this could be?
I have these little red bumps on the left side and underside of my penis along with a long red brown mark along the entire thing. They don't hurt or itch at all but i would still like to know what they are
i have little red bumps on my penis, they sorta look like pimples..there on my upper scrotum also...what could it be? im a virgin so i dont know... PLESE HELP !
Wow, does not look like the WebMD profesionall is answering anymore...
For the one wondering about having sex with the guy with patches. It might be genital warts...
I know that there is a big push these days to have sex. But why would anyone HAVE to have sex with a person (not spouse) that has an STD. Please think seriously if getting an STD is worth that.
I've had herpes for 30 years. The world does not end. But eventually you end up having to tell someone you love that they will eventually get it too. This isn't like sharing a cold.
Anyway, I had an outbreak on my scrotum...after two weeks, it is not scabing over. Anyone else exprerience this? Long times of open skin patches?
If you have a comment about this blog post, you are in the right place. However, if you have a question for Terri Warren, please visit the Genital Herpes message board.
I have just one small bump kind of like a pimple but really hard just below the skin on the shaft of my penis and i know its not a disease.. and it doesnt hurt at all.
would you know what that would be or how to get rid of it?
Thanks..
i have a acne like bump on the right side of my penis it looks like a pimpil but when i squeze it it's hurt. what is thing that i have
i have red sores around my genitals. i have gotten 5 in the past year. they hurt alot when pressure on them but i dont think its possible for me to have herpes because ive never had sex im only a teenager. can someone answer. i dont want to talk about it to anyone i know because its akward. please help