cold sores versus genital lesions - Herpes Message Board

keepsgoin · 05-05-2006, 08:18 AM

I keep hearing ppl say that if you have genital herpes, that you can't spread it to other parts of the body...I mean if you already have herpes 2. OK so if that were the case then why is it that everything I read about cold sores and fever blisters (herpes is herpes) says to keep from touching them so as to not spread them around?! This certainly explains why my BF broke out on his face(around his mouth) even though he has had genital herpes and hvs 1 for many years.

SarahArnett243 · 05-05-2006, 10:23 AM

autoinnoculation (infecting other parts of the body) is possible but rare. it's really hard to spread it to another mucosal membrane....for example, if you touched yourself during a genital outbreak, and then rubbed your eye, it'd be very possible to transmit it to your eye. that's why you should always wash your hands!! sometimes people even get herpes on their legs and backs. And just a note....you CAN'T spread it to other parts of your body by a towel. The virus cannot live on inanimate objects.

keepsgoin · 05-05-2006, 10:26 AM

as far as the towel goes, that actually is NOT true, a towel can spread herpes if it's soon enough...this is according to lab research.

This is a quote from Terri Warren(one of the foremost experts on herpes) about using towels:
"We do suggest that you use your own towel that is separate from your family's towels for drying your genitalia. I would suggest not drying your face with the towel that you use to dry your outbreak. Do your face first, then the outbreak area."