Can herpes be spread through sharing food and drinks?
By Attia @ Planned Parenthood | Sept. 12, 2019, 3:59 p.m.
Category: Ask the Experts, Sexually Transmitted Infections
Can I get herpes from sharing a water bottle?
No. Although herpes is extremely common, it can only be spread from skin-to-skin contact with infected areas, such as during vaginal sex, oral sex, anal sex, and kissing. The herpes virus dies quickly outside the body, so you can’t get herpes from things like sharing beverages and meals, hugging, coughing, sneezing, or sitting on toilet seats.
You can, however, spread herpes to other parts of your body or to someone else if you touch a herpes sore and then touch your mouth, genitals, or eyes without washing your hands first. Herpes is most contagious when sores are open and wet, because fluid from herpes blisters easily spreads the virus. But herpes can also “shed” and get passed to others when there are no sores and your skin looks totally normal.
Learn more about herpes.