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Lip gloss
How long could the HSV virus survive in lip gloss? If someone used lip gloss while they had a cold sore would the lip gloss and applicator be contagious and, if so, for how long (hours/weeks/days later)? I have seen varying opinions on how long the HSV virus can survive outside of the human body and wonder if it could be for a long time (i.e. days or weeks) in the moist and room temperature environment of such a substance as lip gloss or vaseline. More specifically, I was wondering about the of spreading the virus from the lip gloss, itself, days or weeks after being used by someone with active cold sores.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for the clarification. I'm not sure I would call your question "ridiculous", but it is a tortured scenario and such transmission is extremely unlikely. If you read the other thread whose link I provided, you learned that STDs (including HSV) are not transmitted by small amounts of virus, and I cannot imagine that sufficient virus could survive and be carried in lip gloss (or any other cosmetic) in sufficient numbers to result in transmission. That would be the case even if lip gloss supports HIV -- and my guess is that if anything it would be toxic to the virus.
I wouldn't worry about this.
I wouldn't worry about this.
Thanks for your response, but I'm afraid that I did not communicate my concerns very clearly, as they are STD related.
My main concern is whether someone could pass HSV1 to someone genitally through oral sex -- although they were NOT shedding and had NO active sores at the time -- because they were wearing contaminated lip gloss that they had used days/weeks before when they DID have active sores and WERE contagious.
If the virus could remain viable in that lip gloss for days (which I assume you are saying is probably unlikely), you would have a source of transmission for the virus and the act of oral sex, itself, would provide the friction/other conditions necessary.
I know this sounds like a ridiculous question, but people commonly use lip gloss/lip-stick/chap stick when they have outbreaks and later re-apply the products, once their sores are healed, without giving a second thought . I don't think many people assume that the lip gloss product, itself, could remain contagious days later, but without knowing how long the virus remains viable under such conditions (the moist/room temperature conditions of lip gloss), how would you know?
My main concern is whether someone could pass HSV1 to someone genitally through oral sex -- although they were NOT shedding and had NO active sores at the time -- because they were wearing contaminated lip gloss that they had used days/weeks before when they DID have active sores and WERE contagious.
If the virus could remain viable in that lip gloss for days (which I assume you are saying is probably unlikely), you would have a source of transmission for the virus and the act of oral sex, itself, would provide the friction/other conditions necessary.
I know this sounds like a ridiculous question, but people commonly use lip gloss/lip-stick/chap stick when they have outbreaks and later re-apply the products, once their sores are healed, without giving a second thought . I don't think many people assume that the lip gloss product, itself, could remain contagious days later, but without knowing how long the virus remains viable under such conditions (the moist/room temperature conditions of lip gloss), how would you know?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back to the STD forum.
I can't say how long HSV might survive in lip gloss. The virus is believed to be transmitted rarely, if ever, by shared drinking glasses, eating utensils, etc -- only by direct contact like sex (or kissing, for HSV-1). Therefore, how long the virus survives isn't the crucial question. Simple survival of a virus in the environment is not necessarily sufficient for it to be transmissible. But there has never been actual research on this, so I cannot answer except to say that I doubt anyone is at risk from lip gloss left behind on a glass. I suggest you not worry about it.
You might read this thread, which explains why STDs are not transmitted except by sex. In the case if HSV-1, oral infection isn't an STD at all -- but some of the same principles apply. Read my closing comment at the end of the thread: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/1119533
Since this isn't an STD question, I won't have any further replies. (Also please note the MedHelp rule that allows no more than 2 questions every 6 months on the professionally moderated forums; see Terms and Conditions.)
HHH, MD
I can't say how long HSV might survive in lip gloss. The virus is believed to be transmitted rarely, if ever, by shared drinking glasses, eating utensils, etc -- only by direct contact like sex (or kissing, for HSV-1). Therefore, how long the virus survives isn't the crucial question. Simple survival of a virus in the environment is not necessarily sufficient for it to be transmissible. But there has never been actual research on this, so I cannot answer except to say that I doubt anyone is at risk from lip gloss left behind on a glass. I suggest you not worry about it.
You might read this thread, which explains why STDs are not transmitted except by sex. In the case if HSV-1, oral infection isn't an STD at all -- but some of the same principles apply. Read my closing comment at the end of the thread: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/1119533
Since this isn't an STD question, I won't have any further replies. (Also please note the MedHelp rule that allows no more than 2 questions every 6 months on the professionally moderated forums; see Terms and Conditions.)
HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
