Worried about common areas and HSV.

[summerfun77]

My daughter in law has HSV on her mouth and a spot on her nose/face. I let her borrow my car... and I am sure she picked at her sores, as she always does. Whats the risk of catching it off the steering wheel, and other objects? I haven't driven the car in a few days because of this, would the virus be dead? Is my other family memebers safe?Chairs and counters in the house when she's over... is it a big risk? Thanks... concerned.

[Life360_Dave]

No need. But you know what might be a good idea to lift the strain on this issue. Find out if she has hsv1 or 2 and get tested yourself. Testing is really not a big deal.

[summerfun77]

So no need to sanitize my car when I let her borrow? I jst have no idea how long it lasts alive/active after it leaves the body?

[Life360_Dave]

Hi and welcome. Theres a lot of misunderstanding about herpes.
For example if you ever had a cold sore (we used to call them canker sores) on your lips as a child then it was herpes 99.99% of the time. It is estimated the 50 to 70% of the adult population would test positive for hsv1 and another 25% for hsv2. So if you ever had a cold sore then your positive and have build up antibodies so you cant catch it again as is already in your upper spinal ganglia.

Also yes it dies out side the host so the objects risk is really not an issue.