jenjen85
10-21-2007, 06:47 PM
I have a cold sore and I went to brush my teeth today and when I took the cover off of my tooth brush, it was still wet and it sprayed into my eyes and on my nose. I then washed my eyes out with q tips and soap and water. I was just wonering if I am now at risk of getting Ocular Herpes.
catharine101
10-21-2007, 07:11 PM
Probably not. The herpes virus only survives for about 10 seconds outside the host. Possibly a bit longer in a nice, warm, moist environment. But a toothbrush is not going to host the virus for very long. I'm guessing it had been several hours since you last brushed your teeth, in which case the virus would be long dead.
Ocular herpes is contracted the same way as other herpes. Skin on skin contact. So if you had a cold sore and rubbed your eyes. Or if your partner had herpes and touched your eyelids or something similar.
I think you are likely fine.