As an NYC cosmetic dentist, I get asked all manner of questions from patients sitting in my dentist's chair. Many of them become blog posts, in fact. I figure if someone visiting me in person has a question, there are likely thousands of others out there with the same question.
And yes, today's topic comes right from my chair. A young lady asked me last week if sharing lipstick with a friend could transmit herpes. She was worried, because her friend had a cold sore, and while they were out clubbing they ended up sharing lipstick in the bathroom.
Well, I wish I had better news for my patient, but if what her friend had was indeed a cold sore/herpes then yes, it could be transmitted by sharing lipstick.
When discussing herpes in these types of instances, it's important to point out that we are generally talking about herpes type 1 (aka oral herpes), and not herpes type 2 (genital herpes). Both types are spread via contact -- however, in general terms, genital herpes is spread through sexual contact with the infected areas. (1) Oral herpes is also spread via contact with secretions, but since we're talking about the mouth, that takes on a myriad of forms.
It's very safe to say that sharing any or all of the following with a person who has oral herpes increases your risks of getting the same:
There's no getting around it -- almost anything that comes in contact with the mouth is going to transmit herpes type 1.
Now, this may not be as bad as it sounds. To start, there are some interesting facts about herpes. The biggest one that I came across is what I always suspected -- most of us already have it. It's estimated that 70 percent of the population has HSV-1 (herpes type 1, or oral herpes). (2) Ever have a cold sore? Then it's overwhelmingly likely you have the virus. It's pretty easy to spread because, as you already likely know, there is no cure. Plus, it does not have to be active (as in, noticeable) to be spread. So something as innocent as a grandparent kissing a child can spread HSV-1.
One thing I found while looking around the web is the prevalence of talk regarding "good herpes" or "bad herpes" (well, not that any herpes is "good," mind you). But there's this perception that HSV-1 is not that big a deal, and HSV-2 is something that carries a stigma. (3) I'm here to say that's really not true -- in general terms, the viruses are essentially the same, save for where they occur. HSV-1 is far more common and can be spread by sharing a fork (hence it gets the "good" label), whereas HSV-2 happens around our genitals and is spread when those genitals come into contact with somebody else's -- hence, the "bad" label. But in my personal opinion, I'll tell you that HSV-1 is no better or worse and even say that HSV-1 can be tougher to live with, because hey, it's right out there for all to see. But then again, since 70 percent of us have it, so what. Herpes is really just another name for cold sores, so is it really that big of a deal? This dentist says, "No, it is not. Refrain from kissing or sharing lipstick, but otherwise, go and live your life."
Ok, let's move on from herpes and just talk a little common sense in regard to sharing lipstick, forks or anything else. Not only can you transmit herpes but almost any other sickness that can be transferred via secretions or saliva. This includes mononucleosis (sometimes called "the kissing disease"), colds, flus, and even hepatitis (4). So basically, I would not be sharing a fork, cigarette, lipstick, toothbrush or any other "mouth related" item with anyone, unless they were someone I was actively kissing (hey, who hasn't sampled something from a spouse's fork?). So that should be the rule: "If you wouldn't kiss this person on the lips, then don't share a fork."
One more thing I want to touch on before we go is HIV. I have been asked "Can I get HIV from sharing a toothbrush or similar?" While I just spent an entire post pointing out things that can be transmitted that way, everything I have found on HIV suggests it is NOT transferred via saliva (5). So rest easy, friends -- while you may get herpes from sharing that lipstick, unless blood was involved, it's not likely you will get HIV from sharing such. Although, in the case of chapped, bleeding lips, I'd say caution is warranted if that situation is present. Hopefully, both parties involved already know that.
So to sum it all up, I like my kissing rule (heck, I like kissing in general!). Until next time, keep smiling!
(1) http://www.webmd.com/genital-herpes/pain-management-herpes
(2) http://depts.washington.edu/herpes/herpes_qa.htm
(3) http://www.herpesonline.org/articles/herpes_virus.html
(4) http://infectiousdiseases.about.com/od/respiratoryinfections/a/kissing.htm
(5) http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/qa/transmission.htm
Follow Thomas P. Connelly, D.D.S. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/dr_connelly
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Also, yes you can get HIV from sharing a toothbrush; if each of you has an open wound in your mouth, you can get it - and almost everyone has some open wounds in their mouths at all times, the chances are good you'd be at risk. The risk is small, but it is still (conceivably) there.
The stigma is always going to be with people who have it below the belt unfortunately. In all actuality HSV 1 is worse disease to have as it can cause more problems, such as encephalitis.
Type I, easily spread through innocent behavior doesn't have the overtone of rampant sex (though since 1 in 6 have genital herpes that's not really the cause).
Also, when he says that type I is more obvious so could be more of a stigma and more of a problem. That's ludicrous. For one thing, it's a COLD sore by common understanding, it simply happens. For another, type II genital herpes can be VERY painful and is incurable as it is a virus and will only go into remission until the next time.
Yeesh!
Finally, forget Valtrex. Use Lung Dan Xi Gan, found on the web. It changes the "damp heat" environment that the virus needs to "bloom" and manifest itself. Works fast, cheap and when taken correctly no side effect. Same herbs work for Shingles. www.FixPainNow.com
http://www.ncsu.edu/ehs/www99/right/handsMan/lab/skin%20absorption.pdf