Found Cold Sore Cream in Housemate's Bathroom - I'm Worried

LHydrool on 11/09/2017 - 20:25
Last edited 12/09/2017 - 09:19 by 1 other user

Calling on all amateur and professional OzBargain doctors here!

The issue at hand: In true OzBargain fashion, my wife and I recently rented out our spare bedroom. We thought it might be a good way to help with the mortgage and we've both lived in houseshare/flatshare arrangements before. The tenant is totally lovely and we have no issues with her as a housemate. However, while cleaning out her bathroom over the weekend (We have our own ensuite and do not share a bathroom) I noticed a box of cold sore cream on the sink.

A bit of research online suggests that she either carries the herpes simplex virus (HSV), or the more serious genital herpes. Some literature seem to suggest that HSV it is highly contagious, particularly during a breakout, while others think its not an issue and the only real way to catch it is through intimate contact. Either way, once you contract herpes, there is no way to treat it which is our main concern here.

I'm in bit of a dilemma. We like her as a person, but we are really worried about infection, especially since we are planning on having a baby in the near future. The major issue is that we do share a kitchen and washing machine and I just want to know what are the likelihoods of contracting the virus. And given that it is a rather sensitive topic, how would I even be able to bring it up with her if I feel the need to?

It's time like these that I wish there were tiny little bikiettes you can hire to solve all our hygiene issues.

EDIT: Thanks for everyone's reponse. Just want to clarify, since many of you seemed to think that I entered the bathroom without permsssion and getting into her private business. We've discussed beforehand that I will occasionally clean the bathrooms and she has no problem with that. Also she left the cream out in the open and Was pretty hard to miss. Shes made no attempt to hide it meaning probably means she doesn't think it's a big deal which seemed to be consistent with the majority of the people here

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • pegaxs on 11/09/2017 - 22:07
    +15

    Sounds like OP and the flatmate have been kissing and someone is a little paranoid. Sounds like OP is fishing for a "reason" for why they caught it outside the usual methods… "well, honey, I read in the internet that you can get it from mouth breathing in the same room…"

    Sounds like the old "you can get the clap off a dirty toilet seat" fishing expedition.

    • Wallyt99 on 12/09/2017 - 23:49
      +7

      Apparently you can get pregnant sitting on a toilet seat. If there is a guy sitting on it with an erection.

  • mr fox on 11/09/2017 - 22:08
    +7

    Here's your dilemma: you're a messed up person. Seek help. (For you, not your housemate.)

    • Ozbargainite on 11/09/2017 - 22:11
      -1

      lol

    • sobes on 12/09/2017 - 07:04
      +10

      I just see someone asking a question on something they don't know much about (like most people who ask questions). Why are you calling them a messed up person?

      • Scrooge McDuck on 12/09/2017 - 11:17
        +1

        Why are you calling them a messed up person?

        Some people boost their self esteem by putting others down.

        OP has been bullied a lot above and some/other people follow the heard.

  • Ughhh on 11/09/2017 - 22:21
    +3

    I was thinking aids or something really serious when "STI" was in title… But turns out just a cold sore.

  • bobbified on 11/09/2017 - 22:52
    +4

    Don't kiss her lips - either of them!

    You'll be ruling out most of the population if you're going to be worried about that. Imagine the number of people who travel on public transport who have cold sores or herpes that hold onto the rails inside. Or the people that hold onto the rails to go downstairs. Or even the handles on doors!

    • Wallyt99 on 12/09/2017 - 23:51
      +3

      I assume when you say either lip you mean her top lip and bottom lip?

      • Shwayne on 13/09/2017 - 15:13
        +1

        Something like that

  • Randxyz123 on 11/09/2017 - 23:00

    You are worrying about nothing. It's completely treatable with that cream. Asking someone if they have genital herpes is completely inappropriate…

    Surely by the time you have a kid you'll use that as an excuse to end the room lease agreement??

  • Word on 11/09/2017 - 23:02
    +1

    Jerry Seinfeld?

    • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2017 - 00:41

      That was fungus. But +1 anyway.

    • SydStrand on 12/09/2017 - 01:14
      +1

      Fungicide? Fungus?

  • juventino on 11/09/2017 - 23:06
    +1

    that's it !!!! Your days are numbered !!!

  • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2017 - 00:10
    +1

    you gunna have herpes and die soon

  • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2017 - 04:53

    Try to be different, what catch a different disease?
    It seems to be in fashion, to need a coldsore cream ……

    Body and soul, I'm a freak, I'm a freak.

    ~ Silverchair

  • userid007 on 12/09/2017 - 06:50

    Remind me my uni boarding days. First thing i got from my hostel was herpes zoster. 21 days of hell throguh pain.

    • Save Medicare on 12/09/2017 - 11:30

      That's medically impossible

      • NotAMoodle on 12/09/2017 - 14:52
        +4

        Username checks out.

  • sobes on 12/09/2017 - 07:05
    +6

    Anyone know what the deal is with some of the nasty responses directed at OP? Seems a pretty fair question if somebody doesn't know about the topic.

    • BartholemewH on 12/09/2017 - 07:33
      +5

      Ask a stupid question get a stupid answer?

      • pegaxs on 12/09/2017 - 08:16
        +10

        Agree with that, but wanted to add OP's ignorance, paranoia and complete lack of respecting privacy is what has probably been the main reasons behind most of the responses…

    • spackbace on 12/09/2017 - 11:11
      +7

      Original title didn't help set the right tone:

      Living with someone who potentially has a STI

  • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2017 - 08:34

    Oh wow, please don't ever clean out her bathroom again. This is a bad reaction. No its worse. Are you seriously considering turfing your housemate because she has cold sores? That's discrimination. Her coldsores are her business. Unless you are making out with her, you and your future baby are safe. Ffs.

    (This is why people with herpies or aids tend not to disclose, because people do ignorant s like this)

  • telljoolz on 12/09/2017 - 08:48
    +20

    Harsh but funny thread about a well meaning but naive OP concerned about the health and welfare of his/her family.
    Laughs ensue from the very first response.
    Just before midway, we see character development in the protagonist.
    More jokes continue, despite reaching an early climax in the plot.
    Great start to morning. 4/5 stars, would read again.

    • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2017 - 09:40

      it highlights the danger of Doctor Google
      a mundane and innocent thing like acne and pimples and the OP sees the word Herpes in Dr Google causing unnecessary strain on his life and relationship with others.

      I wouldn't even be surprised if that particular cream is used for other completely innocuous conditions beyond the common HPV treatment usage.

      • Iggemo on 12/09/2017 - 12:21

        yeah i have a policy of never googling anything medical anymore, but rather talking to my GP. I used to do it but it seems to present worst case scenarios all the time and it just fills me with panic and anxiety so in that regard i can understand how OP could be misled.

  • SupeNintendoChalmers on 12/09/2017 - 09:19
    +4

    nuke the entire home from orbit. It's the only way to be sure

  • Archi on 12/09/2017 - 09:36
    +5

    OP is scared that if he develops cold sores that his wife will find out that he has been kissing the tenant…

    but like wise if you wife gets the cold sores, I'd enjoy the ride,

    • BookerDeWitt on 12/09/2017 - 18:41

      That would be a fantastic plot twist. I sit eargerly in anticipation of OPs future update to this thread XD.

  • smpantsonfire on 12/09/2017 - 09:37

    Wow some people. The nerve of that girl. Shame

  • Your Friend on 12/09/2017 - 09:46
    +1

    thanks for the laugh OP

  • Maxlife on 12/09/2017 - 10:15
    -1

    THE ISSUE AT HAND UMMM LET ME THINK!?! YOU YOU YOU!!!!

  • singlemalt72 on 12/09/2017 - 10:45
    +3

    You don't use cold sore cream for genital herpes

    • Scrooge McDuck on 12/09/2017 - 11:25
      +1

      How do you know?

      • singlemalt72 on 12/09/2017 - 11:33

        Ho Ho Ho…

        But seriously - I suffered from bad coldsores as a kid and read up about it.

        Back to the original poster - will he/she freak when they find that around 22% of people suffer from cold sores and up to 80% carry the virus!

  • picklewizard on 12/09/2017 - 10:54
    +5

    I implore you to reconsider your plans to breed; we have enough stupid people in the world already.

  • Architectonic on 12/09/2017 - 11:04

    Almost every adult in Australia has been infected with herpes simplex in the past. Don't worry about it.

    • picklewizard on 12/09/2017 - 11:37

      You might be confusing HSV with HPV.

      HSV causes herpes, HPV causes warts and cervical cancer.

      EDIT: Oh, apparently HSV1 is carried by up to 85% of us, and HPV rates are dropping due to vaccination. There ya go!

  • bdl on 12/09/2017 - 11:26
    +5

    HSV - I just want one

  • redslert on 12/09/2017 - 11:53

    A lot of people have the virus.
    Some people will never have the 'sores' but still a carrier…

  • lainey13 on 12/09/2017 - 11:55

    Your housemate is going to stick around when you guys have a baby?!

  • m0nkeycheese on 12/09/2017 - 12:16
    +1

    You are worried about nothing

  • Tech5 on 12/09/2017 - 12:21

    Yes you should be worried. And AIDS is the work of the devil and you can get it just by breathing in the same air

  • jerjergege on 12/09/2017 - 12:32

    Mate you already have it, now that you've seen the cream, the dormant herpes is going to breakout now.

  • orly on 12/09/2017 - 12:41

    I read the question as "I'm having relations with my housemate and I may have contracted STD. Help."

  • diddy50 on 12/09/2017 - 12:53

    We're a herpes free household, and proud of it!

  • strangeloops66 on 12/09/2017 - 13:07
    +5

    OP's housemate might have herpes simplex, but he has a herpes complex!

  • Lando on 12/09/2017 - 13:20
    -2

    Just admit it, ya scumbag. You're having an affair.

    You have the virus too. Don't come near me. Viruses outnumber bacteria a squigillion to 1. Stop being a brat. Your kid will be better off if exposed to these common viruses.

  • KaTst3R on 12/09/2017 - 13:23

    I wonder if you tenant is also on OZB…she would probably be reading this right now

  • Lockieasy on 12/09/2017 - 13:28
    -2

    Careful OP or you might catch her girl germs too.

  • goosegog on 12/09/2017 - 13:34

    A cold sore is a very common situation which affects many of us through life. Known as Herpes Simplex, it can easily be treated & is not life threatening - usually caused through stress or lack of food vitamins ( low body vitamin intake)
    Genital Herpes on the other hand is a far more serious issue requiring medical help to eradicate.
    This poor girl has a simple cold sore & if she hadn't wanted you to see the medication would not left it on show. Unless you plan to exchange saliva with her through kissing stop panicking. Any cutlery, plates etc. which are used by all of you will be thoroughly cleansed of this virus in the dishwasher.

    • Kevin07 on 13/09/2017 - 20:17

      actually genital herpes is also caused by herpes simplex

      40% of genital herpes is caused by HSV1 (cold sore herpes) through oral-genital transmission
      the rest being HSV2

      though i wouldnt really worry unless you have active lesions in labour

      • source: i am an OBgyn
      • Scrooge McDuck on 13/09/2017 - 22:12

        So if my friend has never had a cold sore or an STI, should he try to get a cold sore to inoculate himself from getting it on his penor? 🤔

  • itstuan on 12/09/2017 - 14:15
    +5

    The only way to find out for sure if she has herpes, is to have sex with her.

  • Gronk on 12/09/2017 - 14:27
    +1

    This is a pretty open and shut case of 'None of your goddamn business'.

  • Gorodemon on 12/09/2017 - 14:51

    That's the consequence of sharing your house with a stranger. Btw, that sort of cream is also commonly used to treat genital wart so there's a chance your housemate has already contracted this:

    https://patient.azureedge.net/forums/images/upload/916686-98…

    • Scrooge McDuck on 13/09/2017 - 01:10
      +1

      The image above is not safe for…

      eyes! 🙈

  • doctordv8 on 12/09/2017 - 15:26
    +1

    So you decide to tell possibly the whole of Australia first, get anxiety by NOT seeking unprofessional medical help, not give the tenant the courtesy of a first response…..all over some topical cream? There are many uses for many treatments for many conditions. Perhaps you should keep a persons medical issues private where they belong, regardless of your phobia or worries, and speak privately to this person. The answer may be so simple and innocent, yet it is out for us all to read about.

    Sorta see where most of us are going here? Now, is the tenant reading this also? After you have that conversation, perhaps you should speak to a PROFESSIONAL, in private with the exact product and strength, and do not name names.

  • elgrande on 12/09/2017 - 15:48

    You sir, are a weirdo. :)

  • Oofy Doofy on 12/09/2017 - 15:59
    +2

    Mono is herpes, cold sores are herpes, chicken pox is herpes, shingles is herpes…. Many types of herpes.

    On the plus side, most people who've had the chicken pox vaccine in their youth, are much less likely to have cold sore outbreaks.

  • dingdong3000 on 12/09/2017 - 16:01
    +2

    Surely this is a joke?!

  • khued on 12/09/2017 - 17:04

    maybe house mate bought cream for a friend, just haven't around to pass it on.

    you need to confirm back story with house mate over a communal dinner.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 13/09/2017 - 01:14

      you need to confirm back story with house mate over a communal dinner.

      With individual meals.

  • hell0 on 12/09/2017 - 17:48

    I wuld kick he tenant out and charge them for the demolition & rebuilding of your house.

  • Royale with cheese on 12/09/2017 - 17:55
    +3

    "The virus that causes cold sores spreads easily from person to person. You might have caught it from an infected person if the 2 of you shared a fork or knife, kissed, or had some other type of close contact.

    People who give oral sex to people with genital herpes can get cold sores on their mouth."

    This is reliable medical information.

    Only active lesions transmit so you might have to ask her not to share the cutlery when she has active sores. Or not to give a bj!

    • rt1111 on 12/09/2017 - 19:55

      Finally a reasonable take.

  • glutamic on 12/09/2017 - 18:07

    no big deal, relax

  • johnno07 on 12/09/2017 - 18:23
    +8

    Please, for the sake of your housemate, voice your concerns to her. That way she'll know you guys are crazy and can move out before any truly weird shit goes down.

  • MessyG on 12/09/2017 - 18:27
    +1

    Go have a chat with your GP for advice - you're right to be concerned especially if there's a newborn in the house but there's precautions you can take to prevent spread. Think about it this way, as a highly prevalent condition, lots of parents have cold sores and their babies don't die of HSV encephalitis - but they do need to take precautions (i.e. no kissing, hand hygiene etc), but absolutely worth speaking to GP as part of pre-conception planning to discuss in depth.

  • colinjames on 12/09/2017 - 18:56

    Is it still a bargain to rent out the spare room of a PPOR when you opened yourself up to pay capital gains now?

    • greatlamp on 12/09/2017 - 20:17

      Probably cash in hand. Hence the guilt and paranoia from OP

    • Oofy Doofy on 12/09/2017 - 20:18

      Haha. Cash only I'm sure.

    • strangeloops66 on 12/09/2017 - 20:22

      Only the floor area used by the tenant as a percentage of total floor area is subject to CGT, pro rated for time, assuming PPOR for full period of ownership.

    • fruit on 12/09/2017 - 22:33

      What is PPOR?

  • Untameable on 12/09/2017 - 20:31
    +2

    Here's my take: it sounds like you have a responsible housemate. I've seen many a person with face herpes - scratching away at them and then touching everything under the sun (including shaking your hand and pointing at everything on the restaurant menu while rubbing it) and who pose a real risk of infecting others because they have no idea what they are doing.

    If your housemate is using cream then they at least know: don't touch it, wash your hands, and use a cream. If that's the case then it's not a big deal. Just try not to think about everyone who's holding elevator handrails and touching elevator buttons while their fingernails are dripping with blood :-/

  • belongsinforums on 12/09/2017 - 20:48
    +2

    If this is a troll post, it's golden.

  • p3nf0ld on 12/09/2017 - 20:56

    Thread delivers!

  • Dack Smith on 12/09/2017 - 20:56
    +1

    Shouldn't be a big deal.

    The big deal here is how many commenters here jumped on the OP bashing bandwagon willy nilly to be part of the dumb herd.

    Now that is scary …. no wonder human society has problems

  • Bunnyburger on 12/09/2017 - 21:45
    +1

    HSV is no laughing matter for babies due to their HSV naive immune systems. It can wreck them up pretty bad.

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