Can Genital Herpes Be Transmitted Through Using Same Personal Items?

Posted on Fri, 20 Jun 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 20 Jun 2014 Answered on

Wed, 16 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I was just tested positive for genital herpes. My sister found out today, and I found out that she has apparently been using my razor. I do not know when I got it. How likely is it that she can contract the herpes virus from my razor? Also, if I have an outbreak on my genitals, is it possible to show up in saliva? Like I said, I just found out yesterday, and I sipped my sister's drink before I found out, so I am worried that it could be passed on to them through that as well.

Answered by Dr. Johny Chacko (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Genital Herpes

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic,
Genital herpes is transmitted by sexual contact. If you use your razor to shave hair from your genital region where you get herpes and if she uses that razor immediately after you have used, then there is a theoretical chance of transmission.

Genital herpes usually affects genital region, herpes labialis(cold sore) affect lips. So if you do not have herpes over your lips then you will not transmit it by sipping your sister's drink.
Hope I have answered your query, it is very unlikely that you have passed genital herpes to your sister. I would like to know what test came positive for genital herpes and what where your symptoms ?
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar