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Herpes - Asymptomatic Shedding
Doctors,
I’m looking for some credible advice since so many things on the internet have conflicting or ambiguous answers as to this topic. Last week I went on vacation with one of my best friends. He has herpes (he’s had it a little over a year now). The first night he took a shower before me and I took one after him. Without even thinking about it, I used the same towel. I know it’s skin to skin and/or fluid to fluid that causes the herpes virus to spread but my question is more so on asymptomatic shedding.
The bathroom atmosphere was very warm and moist and I used the towel about 10-15 minutes after my friend. If he was shedding, would the virus be able to live on the wet towel for that period of time? Also, would a shower and soap wash away the skin that would be shedding? I did dry my genital region very well with that towel (not knowing of shedding at the time) and I know this would be VERY rare for it to spread but the circumstances still cause me to be concerned.
I have no flu-like symptoms, bumps, or rash but yesterday my penis was very red, darkened veins, and I had jock itch all around my groin and anus for a few days after we got back from the trip. I'm hoping it was JUST jock itch that came from wearing a bathing suit for extended periods of time, never drying properly after showers, and a small case of athletes foot during the trip. I don’t mean to ask a dumb question or overreact because I know “the towel question” is asked quite often. My main concern is that I could have it and just not showing any symptoms. I know it was a dumb move to share anything like a towel with him but I just want to know the odds of me having the virus under those exact conditions.
Please advise and thank you for your time.
I’m looking for some credible advice since so many things on the internet have conflicting or ambiguous answers as to this topic. Last week I went on vacation with one of my best friends. He has herpes (he’s had it a little over a year now). The first night he took a shower before me and I took one after him. Without even thinking about it, I used the same towel. I know it’s skin to skin and/or fluid to fluid that causes the herpes virus to spread but my question is more so on asymptomatic shedding.
The bathroom atmosphere was very warm and moist and I used the towel about 10-15 minutes after my friend. If he was shedding, would the virus be able to live on the wet towel for that period of time? Also, would a shower and soap wash away the skin that would be shedding? I did dry my genital region very well with that towel (not knowing of shedding at the time) and I know this would be VERY rare for it to spread but the circumstances still cause me to be concerned.
I have no flu-like symptoms, bumps, or rash but yesterday my penis was very red, darkened veins, and I had jock itch all around my groin and anus for a few days after we got back from the trip. I'm hoping it was JUST jock itch that came from wearing a bathing suit for extended periods of time, never drying properly after showers, and a small case of athletes foot during the trip. I don’t mean to ask a dumb question or overreact because I know “the towel question” is asked quite often. My main concern is that I could have it and just not showing any symptoms. I know it was a dumb move to share anything like a towel with him but I just want to know the odds of me having the virus under those exact conditions.
Please advise and thank you for your time.
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
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