Short answer: it’s unlikely, but not impossible, to get HSV-1 from sharing a drink. Details

• HSV-1 is most commonly transmitted through direct contact with active sores or contagious saliva from an infected person. Sharing a cup or straw presents a much lower risk, especially if there is no active outbreak and no visible sores.

• The virus can be present in saliva, so in theory it could be transmitted via a shared drink, but surfaces like cups don’t typically carry enough viable virus to cause infection unless there is a fresh, high viral load on the rim and instant transfer. In practice, the risk from a single shared drink is considered low.

• Practical precautions: avoid sharing drinks or utensils when someone has an active outbreak, and use your own cup or glass. Practicing good hygiene and avoiding saliva contact with open sores reduces risk for everyone.

What this means for you

• If you shared a drink with someone who had an active cold sore, there is a theoretical risk, but the chance of transmission remains low with a single exposure. If you develop symptoms (such as a tingling sensation, itching, or sores around the mouth) within a few days to a couple of weeks, consider consulting a healthcare provider for evaluation and testing.

• If no symptoms appear, the likelihood of HSV-1 infection from a one-off drink is generally low. However, HSV-1 is common, and many people carry it asymptomatically, so routine screening is not typically recommended unless there are specific concerns or risk factors.

If you’d like, I can tailor guidance based on whether you or the other person had an active outbreak at the time, or help interpret any symptoms you’re noticing.