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Risk of secondary infection after smoking?
23 year old male here.
First off, I am fairly sure I have HSV1. I have never been tested so I can't confirm this 100% but I have had a few (at least 2 that I distinctly remember, possibly a few more) cold sores on my lips in my lifetime. The first was when I was about 13, if I remember correctly, and the second was a few years afterward. I'm not sure how I got infected but I assume it was through kissing or sharing a cup or something along those lines. It's never been much of a issue for me since the sores are so rare and they haven't produced any complications that I am aware of.
My question relates to a recent incident. Two days ago I smoked a hookah with a glass mouthpiece with 4 other individuals. I did not sanitize the mouthpiece before smoking it. Afterward, I found out that one of the individuals had 3 cold sores on his mouth about a month and a half prior to this. I did not notice any sores on his mouth while we were smoking but I didn't pay close attention since I was unaware of his infection. There was an individual who smoked the pipe after the infected individual did and before I did (there was a person in between us in the sitting circle, if that makes sense). Today I've been feeling a slight tingling on my lips but nothing has developed yet and it might be my imagination/anxiety since I've been worrying about this all day.
My questions are:
1. If this individual had an oral case of HSV2, what are the chances he could pass it to me on a glass pipe? I know that it depends on whether or not he was "shedding" at the time but assuming he was (worst case scenario), how long would HSV2 live on a glass pipe in the open air and would the fact that another (non-infected individual) smoked it after the infected individual did but before I did make a difference? How long would it take for me to exhibit or feel symptoms? I read that the 'prodrome' for HSV (not sure if I'm using the word correctly) includes lip tingling.
2. How common are multi-sore outbreaks with HSV1? Could this individual have had HSV1 with three sores on his mouth at one time?
3. Are there different strains of HSV1? Could this incident have exposed me to a different (possibly more powerful) HSV1 strain that infects me anew?
4. Can re-exposure to the HSV1 virus trigger a new sore outbreak? I haven't had a sore in a few years. Could this exposure produce a new outbreak even if its the same or a similar strain as the one I already (likely) have.
5. What kind of measures should I take to protect my loved ones? I've never really done much regarding my HSV1 infection since the sores/symptoms are so rare for me I rarely even think about it. Should I take on any particular hygienic measures? In a worst case scenario (if I just contracted a very powerful oral HSV2 infection) what could I do to make sure my loved ones don't get infected? This is the main reason I am so so worried and full of anxiety at the moment. I would feel abysmally horrible if I found out I gave my family a sexually transmitted infection because of my stupidity. Right now I'm somewhat hesitant to use any eating utensils that my family might also use but I have been using their plates. I am incredibly depressed at the possibility that I might never be able to kiss my loved ones in peace again due to worries about viral shedding. I did read online that human herpes can not be transmitted to feline or canine pets, can anyone confirm this? What hygienic measures should I take on between now and when I am able to get a reliable test done?
First off, I am fairly sure I have HSV1. I have never been tested so I can't confirm this 100% but I have had a few (at least 2 that I distinctly remember, possibly a few more) cold sores on my lips in my lifetime. The first was when I was about 13, if I remember correctly, and the second was a few years afterward. I'm not sure how I got infected but I assume it was through kissing or sharing a cup or something along those lines. It's never been much of a issue for me since the sores are so rare and they haven't produced any complications that I am aware of.
My question relates to a recent incident. Two days ago I smoked a hookah with a glass mouthpiece with 4 other individuals. I did not sanitize the mouthpiece before smoking it. Afterward, I found out that one of the individuals had 3 cold sores on his mouth about a month and a half prior to this. I did not notice any sores on his mouth while we were smoking but I didn't pay close attention since I was unaware of his infection. There was an individual who smoked the pipe after the infected individual did and before I did (there was a person in between us in the sitting circle, if that makes sense). Today I've been feeling a slight tingling on my lips but nothing has developed yet and it might be my imagination/anxiety since I've been worrying about this all day.
My questions are:
1. If this individual had an oral case of HSV2, what are the chances he could pass it to me on a glass pipe? I know that it depends on whether or not he was "shedding" at the time but assuming he was (worst case scenario), how long would HSV2 live on a glass pipe in the open air and would the fact that another (non-infected individual) smoked it after the infected individual did but before I did make a difference? How long would it take for me to exhibit or feel symptoms? I read that the 'prodrome' for HSV (not sure if I'm using the word correctly) includes lip tingling.
2. How common are multi-sore outbreaks with HSV1? Could this individual have had HSV1 with three sores on his mouth at one time?
3. Are there different strains of HSV1? Could this incident have exposed me to a different (possibly more powerful) HSV1 strain that infects me anew?
4. Can re-exposure to the HSV1 virus trigger a new sore outbreak? I haven't had a sore in a few years. Could this exposure produce a new outbreak even if its the same or a similar strain as the one I already (likely) have.
5. What kind of measures should I take to protect my loved ones? I've never really done much regarding my HSV1 infection since the sores/symptoms are so rare for me I rarely even think about it. Should I take on any particular hygienic measures? In a worst case scenario (if I just contracted a very powerful oral HSV2 infection) what could I do to make sure my loved ones don't get infected? This is the main reason I am so so worried and full of anxiety at the moment. I would feel abysmally horrible if I found out I gave my family a sexually transmitted infection because of my stupidity. Right now I'm somewhat hesitant to use any eating utensils that my family might also use but I have been using their plates. I am incredibly depressed at the possibility that I might never be able to kiss my loved ones in peace again due to worries about viral shedding. I did read online that human herpes can not be transmitted to feline or canine pets, can anyone confirm this? What hygienic measures should I take on between now and when I am able to get a reliable test done?
no, someone elses hsv1 won't trigger yours to reactivate at all.
it could live up to several hours on glass in theory but I'm not sure how the heat would affect it . it's so much more than just coming in contact with the virus though to contract it. You need the heat and friction of smooching for instance to transmit it orally.
grace
it could live up to several hours on glass in theory but I'm not sure how the heat would affect it . it's so much more than just coming in contact with the virus though to contract it. You need the heat and friction of smooching for instance to transmit it orally.
grace
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond grace.
I know that re-infection is impossible since I likely already have it. However, could re-exposure to the virus trigger an outbreak?
Also, can you tell me about how long the HSV virus (of either strain) is able to live when exposed to the open air on something like a glass pipe?
I know that re-infection is impossible since I likely already have it. However, could re-exposure to the virus trigger an outbreak?
Also, can you tell me about how long the HSV virus (of either strain) is able to live when exposed to the open air on something like a glass pipe?
it's not likely this person had hsv2 orally. It's not all that common and those who do have it typically do not get recurrences of it very often and it also only sheds a handful of days out of the year on average.
as an adult, hsv1 is almost exclusively transmitted through romantic type kisses.
you already have hsv1 orally so you aren't at risk of getting it again. http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_oralherpes.cfm has terrific info on oral herpes for more reading .
grace
as an adult, hsv1 is almost exclusively transmitted through romantic type kisses.
you already have hsv1 orally so you aren't at risk of getting it again. http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_oralherpes.cfm has terrific info on oral herpes for more reading .
grace
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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.
