Can herpes be contracted through underwear?

Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1), which is the type that usually causes oral herpes, and Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2), which is the type that usually causes genital herpes, are primarily spread through direct contact with an infected person. This means that the virus must come into contact with mucous membranes or broken skin to cause an infection.

Therefore, sharing or using someone else's underwear, even if it's not visibly soiled, does not pose a significant risk of contracting herpes unless there is direct contact between the infected person's lesions or bodily fluids and the mucous membranes or broken skin of the person wearing the underwear.

However, it's important to practice good hygiene and avoid sharing personal items, such as underwear, to minimize the risk of exposure to various infections and diseases, regardless of whether or not they are sexually transmitted.