Possible transmission from straw?

[bunchanumbers]

I’ve looked through the forum about transmission from straws but nothing is exactly the same experience as I had so I’m a little paranoid. Over 2 weeks ago my mom had a cold sore on the side of her lip and I took a drink from her straw maybe 5-6 seconds after her. It was a cold drink, if that reduces transmission at all. Granted, it didn’t touch her cold sore but the virus could have been on her lips. I got home and washed my lips with soap 30 minutes later.

Is it possible I could have gotten oral herpes from this? She insists her sore was crusted over but I’ve read online that herpes is still contagious even when the sore is crusted over. And this was a big straw too, so I’m paranoid that maybe it was enough of the virus to transmit. I don’t know if it helps reduce transmission either, but my mom is in her 50’s and has had herpes since she was a child. I’ve heard that people who’ve had it longer are less contagious. Does that apply to when they have an outbreak?

I guess the only good thing is that it’s been like 21/22 days since this exposure and nothing has happened. I’ve been stressed out of my mind though and have barely been getting any sleep which actually caused me to get sick with what I’m assuming is a cold. I’ve been congested for 2 weeks maybe, but I don’t think that’s a symptom of herpes, right? I have a fairly weak immune system. I get sick often and when I do, I get REALLY sick. So it doesn’t seem like I got herpes, but now I’m paranoid because I’ve read online that primary outbreaks can be months or even years after exposure.

I do have a canker sore in my mouth, at least I’m 99% certain it’s a canker sore anyway, because it’s just one sore and there was no tingling or swelling or anything. It’s on one of the usual spots where canker sores appear and it’s kinda small. Am I right in assuming it’s a canker sore? Is there a way to tell the difference between a canker sore and a herpes sore inside the mouth?

Sorry if I’m asking a lot!

[Terri Warren]

I think transmission in this situation is highly unlikely.
People who have had the virus longer are still contagious, however, but they often have fewer recurrences.
I think infection is unlikely if you’ve had no symptoms in 22 days since the encounter. Have you ever had an antibody test to know if you might have been infected long before this?
I take it you’ve never had a cold sore on your lip or in your nose?

Terri

[bunchanumbers]

I have never had an antibody test nor have I ever had any symptoms even remotely similar to a cold sore. I rarely get blisters in general. Even when I was really run down and was sick multiple times in a row, I never had a cold sore. Is it possible to have bad immunity and not have a herpes outbreak?

I had asked my mom about me potentially having cold sores as a child or a baby and she insists I never have, but she could be wrong. I’m not sure. The only thing I had on my face was a warts infection. They had to be removed, and I still have a scar above my lip from it. If it was a herpes sore, I don’t think it’s typical to have a herpes score removed by a doctor. I would assume they just heal and scab over.

Let’s say I do have herpes but have no recollection of any symptoms, is this typical for asymptomatic people with oral herpes? Is it worth checking if I have antibodies?

I have had one partner over the past few years and he has not had any symptoms of herpes from me, although I guess it’s entirely possible he may be asymptomatic. Who knows…

My mom didn’t know what herpes was until 6 years ago. She comes from a poor country where everyone had it and she just assumed it was a normal thing that wasn’t contagious. She didn’t take any precautions with me when I was young, but she also very rarely has outbreaks. Recently she has went 20 years without an outbreak and I have only ever seen her with an outbreak twice in my life. Should I be worried about getting it from her?

[Terri Warren]

I do not think you need to worry about this!
Herpes would be not be removed by a doctor, no.
In your situation, I don’t think you need to do an antibody test, no.

Terri

[Author]

Posts