Mouth Outbreaks and Transmission Through Phone Sharing

[Health Inquirer]

Hello Terri,

I am curious, if I were to have an HSV2 oral outbreak (asymptomatic) is what I am most curious about. Let’s just say it happens. If I were having an asymptomatic HSV2 outbreak on my mouth and use a phone, then someone else uses the phone, can they catch it that way and what is the risk statistic?

If someone is having a visible herpes outbreak on their mouth (either type 1 or 2) and then someone else uses that phone, can they catch it that way and what are the risk statistics?

Thank you very much for your time and efforts.

[Terri Warren]

So an outbreak by definition is symptomatic. I think you are asking if you were to have an episode of viral shedding that happens without symptoms, how likely are you to transmit the virus when this is happening, is that correct?

I would say the risk of acquiring herpes in that way that you are asking about it just about zero. We do not have specific statistics about transmission from inanimate objects to a person, but the only inanimate objects I am at all concerned about are sex toys and lipsticks. We do advise individuals not to share warm moist towels, but even transmission in this way is extremely unlikely The phone is not the kind of contact that transmits herpes. There has to be more contact than that. To acquire herpes, there is a certain amount of virus that need to be present and it is not a tiny amount. I guess if a person had a big cold sore and was rubbing their cold sore actively into the phone and then the next person came up immediately afterwards and started putting the phone in their mouth, there might be a 1% chance of transmission. It just doesn’t happen this way.

terri

[Health Inquirer]

Hello Terri,

I apologize for the delay. Life has been very hectic lately and I have only just now been able to get to this. Yes, you understood what I was asking for correctly. I was curious about both scenarios. An actual outbreak and shedding virus asymptomatically. I am asymptomatic and sometimes have to use the receptionists phone and feel like I should be cleaning it every time after I use it. Part of me thinks it is unnecessary and the other part isn’t sure. I have also seen people with visible outbreaks and had to use the phone after them, so I was wondering for that reason too.

You state, “I guess if a person had a big cold sore and was rubbing their cold sore actively into the phone and then the next person came up immediately afterwards and started putting the phone in their mouth, there might be a 1% chance of transmission.” When you say in their mouth, did you mean as if the phone was just touching their mouth-like how our mouths will brush against and touch the mouth piece or did you literally mean in?

Thank you very much for all of your efforts. I deeply value your service.

[Terri Warren]

In their mouth. I mean, it would take much virus and extended contact to acquire herpes in this situation.

Terri

[Health Inquirer]

Great. Thank you for clarifying, Terri.

I deeply appreciate it and best to you.

[Terri Warren]

you are welcome

Terri

[Author]

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