About Kimberly Expertise I can answer questions about the transmission and risks of most STD`s out there. If I were asked something that I was not sure of, I have numerous references to utilize with accurate and updated information. I can answer questions related to the behavior of symptons and associated emotional distress of STDS. I can also refer interested individuals to numerous help outfits.
Experience I have been interested in infectious diseases for many years now. My research has been conducted both in and out of educational institutions. I have been in direct contact with many laboratories on investigational studies and vaccines. I have also been in direct contact with educational professionals that supply for these areas.
Question I know that cold sores spread via kissing, sharing glasses,towels. Can the herpes simplex 1 virus be spread by children through playing with the same toys (whether they are plastic or stuffed animals)?
Is it possible to live out of the body onto toys, furniture, carpets, etc. and pass to uninfected people for any period of time?
If a child bit their lip but doesn't have a cold sore(even though they carry the virus), can the virus still spread to others through the open lip?
thanks, jo
Answer Hi Jo,
Great questions! HSV (herpes simplex virus) is pretty contagious...but not as much as the common person might think. Type 1 typically on the mouth is affecting 50-80% of americans. It seems to be more contagious because it is MORE exposed. The virus can be spread from glasses...if one person is having a "cold sore" or symptom. Towels...are really a theoretical concern. There is no proof that the virus is spread that way...but if you were to use a damp cloth to wipe a cold sore on a child and then immediately wipe the cloth on your mouth...you COULD put yourself at risk. It is important to remember that the virus starts to DIE as soon as it leaves the body. The virus itself is very vulnerable. If that damp cloth we just spoke about had been on a counter for 15-20 min before you used it...the odds of you getting the virus are very low. It would have most likely to have been dead by then. I have read that it would have to be IMMEDIATE contact. The virus itself is said to pass by SKIN to SKIN contact. Not blood. In fact with almost 3/4 of the population having type 1 or 2 if it was passed by blood we would all have outbreaks shortly after getting blood. The only risk with blood there is other diseases...again herpes is a recurrent skin condition caused by a virus that is transmitted through the virus replicating on the skin...either through sores or with genital herpes...sometimes asymptomatic shedding. With oral herpes...you should always avoid contact with the sores. No kissing or touching those places. WHen a symptom is NOT present there is no risk. When there are symptoms there...please avoid. Do not share glasses or items that go between mouths. (for adults, oral sex is a no no with symptoms) There is a little controversy over toys...if one child puts a toy to their mouth and gets the virus (from fluid from the sore) on the toy and another child puts it IMMEDIATELY in their mouth, there is a theoretical risk. However, as stated before the virus dies VERY quickly after leaving the body. Plus, the virus is killed by normal everyday soap and water. You can use alcohol and lysol if it will make you feel better.
As for the child biting their lip...that would not put forth a risk for transmission. ONLY an actual cold sore will do that. the virus will not come through the blood...in fact if you came in contact with a sorethat was bloody but not virus filled like a cold sore, all you could be exposed to would be the ANTIBODIES which will not infect you.
Here is a good example of how the virus can die...look at public toilets...with 25% of people having genital herpes... and all of us using public toilets...you would think that number would be higher...but with the way that the virus dies so fast between users...we don't have that problem.
I hope that I have helped. please let me know if I can answer any further questions. Have a great day and try not to worry yourself about it.
Kimberly
