Possible Exposure – Freaking Out

[floridaguy321]

Hi Terri,

First off, I wanted to say that I ordered the Western Blot as per your suggestions from our last conversation, but in the meantime a huge conundrum has cropped up.

I work at the front desk of a large hotel, where several coworkers of mine and me all share several phones together, simultaneously. One of my coworkers showed up with a cold sore the other day, and unfortunately, used all of the telephones on the front desk. Having to do my job, I have been using the phones as well. Each time I answer the phone, I keep the mouth piece away from my mouth so that I don’t risk exposure. However, I believe that one time, ONE time, it may have slightly (ever so slightly) brushed up against the corner of my mouth.

At the time, I was so busy I didn’t have time to throw down the phone and panic. I didn’t even realize I may have made a mistake until hours after the busy rush died down.

The thing is – I’m not sure how long it had been since she had used that particular phone. I want to say maybe more than five minutes or so. My questions are:

1. What would be my risk of exposure in a situation like this, where I keep me mouth away from the mouthpiece?

2. Could I have contracted herpes?

3. How long does the herpes virus live on surfaces like telephones, particularly when a person has a cold sore?

[Terri Warren]

1. What would be my risk of exposure in a situation like this, where I keep me mouth away from the mouthpiece?
Low beyond words!

2. Could I have contracted herpes?
perhaps with a one in a million chance, or even less. I really don’t think so at all

3. How long does the herpes virus live on surfaces like telephones, particularly when a person has a cold sore?

short times because IF she rubbed her cold sore on the phone, she probably did it unintentionally and did not leave much virus. Then that virus get cold and starts to die – it’s cold and it has no human cells in which to replicate and it is also dry. All bad for the virus.

I think you are just fine in this situation.

Terri

[floridaguy321]

Really? That’s good to hear. I had hoped the chances were slim, but I wanted to hear it from an expert. Thank you very much for your speedy reply! I appreciate all the research and knowledge you’ve contributed to the world about HSV.

Thank you again, and have a lovely day 🙂

[Terri Warren]

You’re most welcome!

Terri

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