Many myths surround the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and its spread, but one of the most common beliefs is that you can get herpes if you share a drink with someone else. Before we can put this misconception to rest, we must consider how herpes spreads and whether or not it can survive outside the body. Remember, the problem with sexually transmitted diseases is that they are sexually transmitted.1
As is the case with most STDs and STDs, it is very unlikely that you will contract the herpes virus from anything other than skin-to-skin contact with another person; and that includes sharing drinks.2
How contagious is herpes?
The the herpes virus is quite contagious, regardless of whether they have been exposed to genital herpes (HSV-2) or oral herpes (HSV-1). Generally, a herpes infection occurs when someone comes into contact with it3:
- A herpes sore
- Saliva from a person with an oral herpes infection
- Genital fluids from a person with a genital herpes infection
- Skin in the mouth area of a person with oral herpes
- Skin in the genital area of a person with genital herpes
Genital herpes is also easily spread during unprotected sex with an infected partner, even without visible pain or symptoms. Essentially, direct skin-to-skin contact or exposure to bodily fluids carries a high risk of contracting herpes.
How does herpes spread?
Herpes is most commonly transmitted through kissing or sexual activity, including oral sex, vaginal sex and anal sex. These situations (as opposed to sharing a drink, straw or cup) are where the virus is most likely to be transmitted – which is part of what makes safe sex practices and herpes testing so important.
But can you catch herpes from sharing a soda with a friend? It is highly questionable, but caution is advised if you have a herpes outbreak. Oral herpes is especially contagious during pimples when the sores are open or moist. If you are experiencing symptoms of HSV and have these types of sores, also called cold sores or cold sores, it is important that you take extra care and do not pass them on to anyone else. This may mean waiting a while before sharing drinks or kissing.
Even without sores, can you get herpes from saliva alone? The short answer is yes, the herpes virus can be transmitted through the saliva of an infected person. This is essentially how young children and babies are exposed through non-sexual contact with saliva through a kiss on the face. In fact, many adults living with oral herpes today contracted it as children from infected adults. Babies are especially vulnerable to herpes, so no matter how cute they are, avoid kissing anyone (even your own), especially if you’re experiencing an oral outbreak. Although rare, adults with oral herpes can also transmit the virus to partners through oral sex, resulting in genital herpes caused by HSV-1, so extra caution is advised.
How long does herpes live outside the body?
No matter how easily the herpes virus thrives in the human body, it cannot persist outside the body for more than a few hours (i.e. on a straw, cup or plastic bottle).4 The only way HSV-1 or HSV-2 can be spread from person to person is through kissing, sexual activity, and by making direct contact with an infected area of skin or an open cold sore. While it is hypothetically possible that HSV could remain active in the residual saliva on the rim of a glass or straw, the chance of transmission is still very small. So if you accidentally shared a drink with a friend or partner, you’ll be fine!
Testing for herpes
If you suspect you have been exposed to herpes, how can you test for infection? There are a few different ones possibilities for testing5and determining which test to get will be based on whether or not you are experiencing symptoms. If suspected ulcers are present, you may go to your doctor’s office for a physical examination. They can look at the sores and a swab test can be performed on a blister that has not yet healed.
For those who have no symptoms but have been exposed, a blood test can determine if you have a herpes infection. If you decide to have a blood test, it is important to wait long enough for the virus to be present in the bloodstream. This can take up to 16 weeks. Taking the test too early could lead to an incorrect result, increasing the risk of spreading the virus to others.
The verdict
Transmitting the herpes virus by sharing drinks is virtually impossible and highly unlikely. Due to the nature and fragility of the virus, sharing a straw, bottle or glass should not pose a threat to someone’s sexual health. Despite common misconceptions, you cannot contract herpes from a toilet seat, fork, doorknob, drinking fountain, hug, car or handshake.
That said, it’s still not entirely advisable to share drinks with strangers, as other bacteria thrive on these surfaces. While you might not get herpes from a shared drink, it’s still an excellent way to catch a number of other illnesses, like strep throat, the flu, or the common cold. All things considered, a good rule of thumb is to stick to your own drinks.
Although herpes is manageable through various prescription and over-the-counter medications, it is only one of the few STDs that cannot be cured. And while you probably won’t contract it from a dirty straw or water bottle, you should be careful about who you kiss or engage in sex acts with. It is always a good idea to get tested for STDs from time to time and, if necessary, consult a doctor about how to best treat the condition.
Sources
- Mayo Clinic staff. “Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs).” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, September 21, 2021. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/symptoms-causes/syc-20351240.
- “Herpes simplex virus.” World Health Organisation. World Health Organization, May 20, 2020. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/herpes-simplex-virus.
- “Genital Herpes – CDC Basic Fact Sheet.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, January 3, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm.
Bardel, D. - “Survival of herpes simplex virus type 1 on some frequently touched objects in homes and public buildings.” PubMed. US National Library of Medicine, 1990. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2172749/.
- “Frequently Asked Questions About Genital Herpes Screening.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, July 11, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/screening.htm.