Hello Doctor,
I have some questions regarding mostly herpes and wouldn't mind STD's in general being considered for the questions also.
So, they say there's a reason herpes is called a STD, however I've read numerous things on the internet and forums among the www that have me concerned.
1. Can you get herpes or any std from drying your hands on a towel after washing them at a house?
2. Is there any kind of std or hsv risk with public toilets, the toilet paper next to them, and/or toilet water backsplash on your southern delicate parts?
3. Any std/herpe risk with sitting in chairs, cushioned chairs, or gym equipment if wearing rather short shorts?
4. Is there a risk with sharing bars of soap? Razors?
5. Since herpes is so common, should I be expecting it to be everywhere?
More personal:
6. What are the precautions I should be taking, living in a household, sharing a bathroom with a herpes positive mother?
7. My mom always told me if I had herpes, I'd know. She says it would hurt or you'd feel something. Is this true? How come I read that some people don't even notice?
8. I feel fine, no itching, no pain, no soreness, or tingling but I noticed yesterday a tiny spot on my inner labia that looked like a dab of permanent red marker...a little darker red than the rest of the areas around it and is not raised. I did use a new body wash and tend to over wash, could it be a little irritation? A yeast infection? Have had a little more discharge than usual. But no pain, smells, or anything of that sort. Seems to be a little faded today, but still there.
Any ideas?
9. How many times a day should a girl wash up down there?
10. Is it always a good idea to wash up after sex?
11. Should a girl check herself down there in a mirror frequently? I find myself doing it every day and I wanted to just go by how I feel and what I feel when showering, but if I hadn't checked the mirror, I would have never known about the red dot. If it doesn't hurt, is it probably nothing?