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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Herpes / May 2005Can you catch herpes from a microphone?
No, I don't have herpes (as far as I know). Yes, I'm completely ignorant of most STDs. That said, I just found out a guy that I work with in a band on a regular basis has herpes, I assume genital herpes. I hear he got it from his GF. I use the same mic as they do. Most of the websites I've read say it's always penis/vagina transmitted. One site mentioned saliva transmittal. It obviously has scared the living hell out of me so I'm exposing myself to ask such a dumb question here in hopes that somebody has more info. Can you get it from sharing a microphone? Damn this is embarrassing to ask so please, be serious. > No, I don't have herpes (as far as I know). Yes, I'm completely > ignorant of most STDs. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Can you get it from sharing a microphone? Damn this is embarrassing to > ask so please, be serious. If he has genital herpes then no, the virus stays in its location - so it would be genital not reappearing on the mouth area. The salival transmission will be mentioned in a text that is discussing all aspects of herpes rather than those the average person assumes its all about or leaps to thinking about when they hear the word herpes. In this case I'd bet it will be discussing HSV in the oral site (ie fever blisters/cold sores), thats mostly HSV1 which around 70-80% of the US population has in them anyway so not exactly something to start overly panicking in any one person's direction about. Thats the best short answer I can do....I could do more but it will require going from first prinicples of describing thr herpesvirus family and will take a while to compose. Tim -- When playing rugby, its not the winning that counts, but the taking apart ICQ: 5178568 Tim, It's nice to see you're still around these parts of the net.. Angela =)  SignatureWeblogs, Blogs, Blogging www.oh-baby-baby.blogspot.com www.herpes-help.blogspot.com www.yoshi2me.blogspot.com >No, I don't have herpes (as far as I know). Yes, I'm completely >ignorant of most STDs. >That said, I just found out a guy that I work with in a band on a >regular basis has herpes, I assume genital herpes. I hear he got it [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >so I'm exposing myself to ask such a dumb question here in hopes that >somebody has more info. >Can you get it from sharing a microphone? Damn this is embarrassing to >ask so please, be serious. No, you can't get genital herpes from a microphone. Herpes requires skin to skin contact for transmission to take place. To pick up herpes from a genitally infected person, you would have to put bare skin in contact that person's exposed genital area (usually meant as the area covered by your average boxer shorts.) Unless the infected person is sticking the microphone down his pants and then attacking you with it you are not going to acquire the virus from the microphone. Mike ps. While it's quite okay to post anonymously here, I happen to know that Kirk Talley is a real person, and that you are not Kirk Talley. Tch tch. Mike, It's great to see you're still around too.. Angela =) SignatureHerpes Message Boards www.yoshi2me.com/ipw-web/bulletin/bb/index.php www.health.groups.yahoo.com/group/PickingUpThePieces/ >Mike, >It's great to see you're still around too.. >Angela =) Yoshi! Great to see you, too. It turns out we have we have mutual friends, you and I. Sort of. You may remember that I missed the Columbus H group Valentines Day weekend? Well, it's funny the way the world turns, but I have since gotten to know several of the people who did attend that august party, and have since attended one of their regular Monday night meets. I haven't actually met the person who knows you (he was out of town when I was there), but several of the people I have met know him well. He speaks highly of you, apparently. I'm looking forward to meeting him some day, and further reducing the degrees of separation in our "community". It's such a small world. Take care, Mike Wow! It's definitely a small world. Who is this person that knows me? Is it Tom from Ohio? Angela :-) SignatureHerpes Information www.yoshi2me.com www.herpes-help.org www.herpesonline.org > Yoshi! Great to see you, too. > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Mike >Wow! It's definitely a small world. Who is this person that knows me? Is it >Tom from Ohio? Er, maybe. ;-) I was at the weekly festival last night, but he was out of town again. Some other time, I'm sure. It was a bummer though, cuz I think I lost about five games of pool and only won one. ;-( Take care, Mike >Angela :-) >Herpes Information >www.yoshi2me.com >www.herpes-help.org >www.herpesonline.org >> Yoshi! Great to see you, too. >> It turns out we have we have mutual friends, you and I. >> Sort of. >> You may remember that I missed the Columbus H group Valentines Day >> weekend? Well, it's funny the way the world turns, but I have since [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >> to meeting him some day, and further reducing the degrees of >> separation in our "community". >> It's such a small world. >> Take care, >> Mike >Can you get it from sharing a microphone? About the same chance as a snowball in hell. Not only does it require skin to skin contact, it has to be the right patch of skin at the right time. Genital Herp is limited to shedding in the boxer shorts area, but not the whole area. Different herpsters shed in different places within that area. Most people shed on or near their genitals. But unless there's an outbreak going on, the chances of asymptomatic shedding aren't very high. It's a sort of on again off again thing, usually happening on 3-4 days of the year on average. But most shedding is done during an outbreak. Even then, the virus can't live on an inanimate object. Not on counter tops, not on doorknobs, not on toilet seats, and definitely not on a microphone. Even if it somehow got there in the first place, it would die within seconds. As far as I know, there has never been a documented case of Genital Herpes transmission by any other means than skin to skin contact (meaning sex). Look at it this way. You're a lot less likely to catch genital herpes than oral herpes. And how worried are you about a cold sore? Having no knowledge of herpes, you did the right thing by coming here and asking instead of listening to the uninformed Herpephobics you sometimes run into on the street. Good on you for that. M2 Hi M2.. You're still here as well.. Cool Beans.. Angela =) SignatureHerpes Information www.yoshi2me.com www.herpes-help.org www.herpesonline.org Yosi writes: >Hi M2.. Hi Yosh :-) >You're still here as well. >Cool Beans.. Yes indeedy... not as often as in the past cuz real life keeps gettin' in the way. But yuppers, I still like to check in now and then. >Angela =) Keep on keepin' on too ;-) M2 No, you can not get herpes from a microphone. :) Herpes stays in the area it infects - it can not travel throughout the body. So, if someone has genital herpes, then they are only contagious in the genital area. If they have oral herpes (cold sores) then they are only contagious in the oral area. I do not believe that the herpes virus lives in saliva. It needs actual body to body contact to transfer. The virus can only live outside the body for a short time. And only in certain circumstances - like a warm, moist environment - but still not for a long time. Hot water and soap kill the virus. If you are worried about the windscreens on the mics, you can spray them with a disinfectant or wash them regularly. I used to soak ours in hot water and let them dry. Made all the vocalists feel better. ar >No, I don't have herpes (as far as I know). Yes, I'm completely >ignorant of most STDs. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] >Can you get it from sharing a microphone? Damn this is embarrassing to >ask so please, be serious. Ar, How's it going? Did you ever move back down to the south? It's really great to see you are still around as well.. Angela :) SignatureWeblogs, Blogs, Blogging www.oh-baby-baby.blogspot.com www.herpes-help.blogspot.com www.yoshi2me.blogspot.com Hi Angela, Yep. Back in Florida where I belong. I will never complain about the heat again. However, I'm having temp issues in my two story condo...There's got to be about a 10 degree difference between the upstairs and the downstairs. So, to be comfortable upstairs, the downstairs is freezing. This is costing me a fortune. Trying to figure out a way to fix this problem... ar >Ar, > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > >Angela :) > No, I don't have herpes (as far as I know). Yes, I'm completely > ignorant of most STDs. Then I should probably mention to you that herpes testing is not part of the STD screening process. > That said, I just found out a guy that I work with in a band on a > regular basis has herpes, I assume genital herpes. I hear he got it [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > so I'm exposing myself to ask such a dumb question here in hopes that > somebody has more info. You might want to check out the Updated Herpes Handbook over on www.westoverheights.com. Inside there is an excellent section about transmission and how all that works with herpes simplex virus. > Can you get it from sharing a microphone? Damn this is embarrassing to > ask so please, be serious. No, you can not contract herpes from sharing a microphone. Now I have a question for you.. Why are you so worried about your friend having herpes? Angela SignatureHerpes Information www.yoshi2me.com www.herpes-help.org www.herpesonline.org Where do you guys get your information?? I am not being sarcastic, I really want to see it. My doc told me when I was diagnosed (AGAIN) 1 month ago, and EVERYTHING I have read, states clearly that type 1 can be transferred to the genitals and vice versa.. I had genital herpes (though they have only 2 times been on the genitals... never blisters, only welts, and otherwise only on my buttcheek) - before I even had sex! it DOES NOT require skin to skin contact but fluid can transfer them also. I know exactly where mine came from.. the blister itself does not have to touch your genitals. I had severe cold sores as a kid, and my doc says since it was before ANY sexual contact - I likely transferred it to myself in another area, and that this was not uncommon. women end up with it from oral sex by a man with a cold sore! I studied this virus in depth when I became pregnant and the life and ability of my child was at risk ( TONS of outbreaks during pregnancy, I was afraid they would not go away!!). But I wont argue.. I just want to give my "opinion" based on my findings and doctors responses to my questions. And for the topic question. though it would be highly unlikely that it be transferred via microphone, theoretically, it is not impossible.. say this guy was popping his blisters while at work, then somehow wiped it on the mic.. and less than 5 seconds later the new guy comes in and tests the mic all super close up and his mouth is on the goo from the blisters.. he ends up with type 1 because he leaves it there until he wipes his mouth after dinner - not aware... so a month later, he picks his type 1 blisters and goes pee.. picking and peeing simultaneously, he gets the goo on his whizzer.. :) he ends up w/ type 2.... in theory. it is possible.. yes, but! NOT VERY LIKELY.. :) Have a good day.. and please dont think i am being a jerk. I just thought I would chime in - >Where do you guys get your information?? Books, news articles, seminars, research studies, reliable web sites, etc. And quite a bit of info sharing happens right here. After awhile you learn to recognize the UNreliable sources, and there are quite a few. Especially on the web. One reliable source for general info would be: http://www.westoverheights.com/freebooktext.html PubMed is good for research studies, ASHA is a good source. The list gets pretty long from there. > My doc told me when I was diagnosed (AGAIN) 1 month ago, How were you diagnosed? Visual? ... or lab test? >EVERYTHING I have read, states clearly that type 1 can be transferred to >the genitals and vice versa.. Correct >DOES NOT require skin to skin contact but fluid can >transfer them also I see you've mentioned elsewhere that it's not transferred by semen. What fluid are you referring to (besides fluid that is also transferred from skin to skin). As far as I know, there is still no "documented" case of a transfer by any other means. >the blister itself does not have to touch your genitals. No, but skin with the virus on it has to contact skin that is susceptible to infection. Susceptible skin usually means genitals, lips, or broken skin elsewhere (cut, abrasion, etc). >before ANY sexual contact - I likely transferred it >to myself in another area, and that this was not uncommon. It's called autoinnoculation and usually occurs early in an infection before your body has a chance to build up its resistance to the virus. It can happen later, although not nearly as likely. >women end up with >it from oral sex by a man with a cold sore! <ahem> ..... men end up with it that way too. >when I became pregnant and the life and ability of my child was at risk It's a concern alright. The greatest risk is when momma becomes infected during late pregnancy. In that case, she has no antibodies to transfer to the baby. In your case, sounds like your baby would have had some protection. I wonder why your doctor didn't prescribe suppressive Valtrex during pregnancy.... I thought that was becoming standard procedure. I'm not really up on the latest in this area but there are mommas here that may have something to say here (I'm a guy by the way). >he picks his type 1 blisters and goes pee.. picking and peeing >simultaneously, he gets the goo on his whizzer.. :) he ends up w/ type >2.... in theory. it is possible. You were going great until you got to the type 1 to type 2 switch. Transfer of type 1 is possible but Type 1 cannot and does not change itself into type 2 (or vice versa) ever. In the example you mention, what could happen is the guy could wind up with type 1 on his whizzer. Known as Genital Type 1. This by the autoinnoculation method mentioned already. >I just thought I would chime in - Glad you did. Feel free to chime any ol' time ;-) M2 > want to see it. My doc told me when I was diagnosed (AGAIN) 1 month ago, > and EVERYTHING I have read, states clearly that type 1 can be transferred to > the genitals and vice versa.. Yes about 30% of new cases of genital herpes are HSV1 not HSV2 in the US at the moment. You'll see that figure quoted here quite a lot by different people. However thats going to involve a lot of naive immune systems rather than inoculation to self (autoinoculation) etc. Its also the disease readout, not the infection readout so you are dealing with a smaller selecting population, not the whole population. Now Im probably hold the view that that happens more often than many here due to papers like this cropping up more and more Genotypic analysis of sequential genital herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) isolates of patients with recurrent HSV-1 associated genital herpes Roest RW, Carman WF, Maertzdorf J, Scoular A, Harvey J, Kant M, Van Der Meijden WI, Verjans GM, Osterhaus AD J Med Virol. 2004 Aug;73(4):601-4 and similar ideas that have been floating around....indicating yet again that the basic virology model for HSV is more complicated than you might think but.....as for the original question posed in this thread I think the answers have been essentially right for the context it was in (though to cover myself I may have missed some that were off base as I have not been following the group as closely as I might have recently).... they do begin to fail in the context you raise though... > though it would be highly unlikely that it be transferred via microphone, > theoretically, it is not impossible.. say this guy was popping his > blisters while at work, then somehow wiped it on the mic.. and less than 5 > seconds later the new guy comes in and tests the mic all super close up and > his mouth is on the goo from the blisters.. he ends up with type 1 because > he leaves it there until he wipes his mouth after dinner - not aware... so a OK the original poster was asking about someone they knew who they thought had genital herpes and that they had read about oral shedding of herpes and because of this should they be worried....the answer there is going to be no, because they are mixing various bits and pieces of data that are not linked and HSV is location specific, so their worries in the context asked were not going to happen (or at least the context as it came ovber to me anyway YMMV). The above scenario that you pull up is outside the context of original question and frankly is pretty unlikely - Popping of genital lesions, transfer etc. Yes it does work, but I would suggest that someone with such a hygiene habit is likely to be spreading other things, its not going to be the mike specifically that will be the risk. You do also raise the issue of HSV1 shedding and transfer, which would be a risk to others, although intact skin, limited shedding, pre-existing immunity etc make it rare it presumably could and likely does happen, in similar shed to object, pass object situations....however that could be anyone rather than 'the friend who every says behind their back has genital herpes' and not just the mike in question. How to respond to such issues requires putting them into a larger context and a wider discussion which I havent seen yet on thread.... > month later, he picks his type 1 blisters and goes pee.. picking and peeing > simultaneously, he gets the goo on his whizzer.. :) he ends up w/ type > 2.... in theory. it is possible.. yes, but! NOT VERY LIKELY.. However this does fall down, HSV1 and HSV2 does not refer to location but to virus species. You transfer HSV1 downstairs its HSV1 - it doesnt become HSV2. (and yes, its really not very likely) > :) Have a good day.. and please dont think i am being a jerk. I just thought > I would chime in - Carry on, keep doing so. Tim -- When playing rugby, its not the winning that counts, but the taking apart ICQ: 5178568 Kim, You've got your facts a bit out of whack. Type 1 is always type 1 - even if it is genital. Type 2 is always type 2 - even if it is oral. It is extremely difficult for you to get herpes when there is no skin to skin contact. Doctors are generally not very informed when it comes to herpes. ar Kim, You need to read the Updated Herpes Handbook over on www.westoverheights.com. Especially the part about transmission. Feel free to print out a copy of your doctor as well. Take Care, Angela :) SignatureHerpes Information www.yoshi2me.com www.herpes-help.org www.herpesonline.org |
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