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Fact or fiction: you can catch herpes from a toilet seat |
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Genital Herpes -
Herpes Information
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Written by Shape
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Wednesday, 01 March 2006 |
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"Environmental surfaces generally do not transmit herpes," says Robert Belshe, M.D., director of the division of infectious disease at Saint Louis University in Missouri.
In order to cause infection, herpes simplex viruses (type 1 causes cold sores, type 2 blisters in the genital area) require a warm, moist, mucous-membrane area such as the mouth, vagina or tip of the penis; they die quickly in the air or away from the body. Kissing, intercourse and oral sex can spread the virus. Using a condom can help prevent infection but is not completely reliable because blisters can occur outside the area covered by a condom. The herpes virus also can be shed between flare-ups, when there are no visible signs of infection. For more information, go to the American Social Health Association's National Herpes Resource Center: www.ashastd.org/hrc/index.html. COPYRIGHT 2004 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group
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