:wave: I have a question. Yesterday, I trusted by boyfriend of 6 years with the fact that my mother had gotten herpes from my step-father and he TOTALLY freaked on me, saying that I can get it from her preparing foods (for example), etc. I have known since I was 11 that my mom had it. I am now 26 and I do not have it. What are some sure fire ways of transmission in a household?

Are we talking genital or oral?
As far as Oral, the most obvious is sharing glasses or utensils. As far as genital, sharing a wet towel would be the most obvious way.
Either way, herpes transmission is very easily avoided when the infected person knows that they are infected and practices good hygene (hand washing after touching a sore, etc) and takes care to not share towels, cups, utensils, etc. Kissing obviously goes without saying as a mode of transmission.

KimRick ~
Herpes is a virus, transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. You can also get the virus, from sharing moist towels/washclothes, that came into contact with an infected person. Or sharing drinks/straws with an infected person. Not sure, what your implecation regarding your boyfriend means, I don't get it. Here's the info., you were looking for, help this was helpful. Take Care, -Orn

If your mom has genital herpes the chance of you and your boyfriend contracting H from her is almost zero. So long as no sexual contact occurs between persons with genital H it's impossible to get it.

Now, of course if your mom touches herself with her hand during an outbreak and immediately touches you somehow afterwards without washing up, then you could feasibly get it that way. BUT, that would be very rare and I doubt your mom would be so careless.

For genital H to be passed on it must be skin to skin contact. I highly doubt that she'd pass it on to you all by cooking or preparing foods.

HOWEVER, if your mom has oral herpes, then there's a higher chance she could pass it on preparing foods or drinking from the same glass. In this case, your mom should follow safety precautions such as not kissing anyone etc. during an outbreak.

I hope that helped.

It's genital and she has had it for about 16 years. The only thing she takes is vitamins and she hasn't had an outbreak since. I am a nursing student, so this isn't new to me and I do know what it takes for transmission and what is doesn't. I just wanted to hear some other opinions because my boyfreind is the type of person who think is right about everything and knows everything :rolleyes: !!! He really is pathetic sometimes. . .

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Kim :D