Hi, I am moving in with a couple, and one of them has herpes. I didn't find out about this until a couple of weeks ago, and I'm quite concious about germs (downright germphobe when it comes to some things). I have nowhere else to go for now, so living somewhere else is not an option right now, and it would be rude to turn down their generous offer. I know it is an STD but I heard it is spread other ways very rarely. I'm going to try to talk to a doctor about this, but I have to find a free health clinic since I am uninsured. What measures can I take to ensure I don't become infected or am I just being overly paranoid? I do not want to offend my new housemates.

You are being over paranoid. Unless you plan on having sex with someone carring herpes there is like NO way you can get infected. I mean you use public restrooms im sure and use other peoples bathrooms not knowing they maybe have herpes or another disease at that matter.

I think you need to relax...your not gonna contract it just by being a roommate!

I assume this person has genital herpes. Unless you plan on being in contact with the person's genitals, you are highly unlikely to get genital herpes from them. The only precaution you SHOULD take is never sharing bathroom towels, seeing as the virus has been cultured from a wet towel before now. Usually the virus only survives a few seconds outside the human body but a nice warm area makes it feel rather at home.

If this person has oral herpes, probably best not to share cups, glasses etc with them when they have an outbreak. If the cups and glasses have been washed between people using them, you don't have anything to worry about, as soap readily deactivates the virus - and as I say, it doesn't live long.

So: don't share any kind of bathroom equipment like towels, razors, sponges - although I guess you would be unlikely to do this!

Lovely, what about sharing cleaning supplies, such as sponges?

Like shower sponges/loofas and stuff? Why would you be sharing the stuff anyway? Even b4 I knew I had herpes I didnt share my loofa with anyone. I dont share my towels either.

But if your just talking like a sponge to clean the sink or clean the dishes then no, it just touching their hands not their genitals...

But for bathroom cleaning i'd assume you should already be using your own..if not i think it's something really should do!! Eek!

Well, that's just common sense not to share bathroom stuff. Yuck!

haha just making sure. If your not sharing that kind of stuff then you should be just fine.