Scarleteen

I was making out with a friend (we're both girls) and we were tribbing/rubbing against each other through clothing. We both had on underwear and thin leggings/yoga pants. She has herpes and now I'm super paranoid that I could have gotten it. In the moment I thought it was fine because we both had on clothing and there was no skin contact but it was thin clothing. Is it possible I got herpes through body fluids that passed through the clothes? I know you can't get pregnant through clothing but herpes is really contagious so I'm worried.

Hi green098,

If you're wondering what does (or does not) pose a risk of herpes (or any other STI), this piece is a great place to start: Can I Get Pregnant, or Get or Pass On an STI From That?

Hi,
I read that article but it was unclear in my situation because it said the risk assessment for doing that with clothing on was assuming "no risk of shared fluids" but I think there was a risk because of wetness. So what I need to know is if herpes can be transmitted if fluid has passed through clothing.

Herpes is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact: you were wearing clothes, so that's not something that could have happened here. The piece you read said without "any possible fluid sharing because of clothing" which means that if people are wearing clothes, fluid sharing isn't possible. There's more detail on herpes and how it's transmitted in this piece: The STI Files: Herpes

Does that help clear things up for you?

Thanks, that makes me feel a lot better. But because I'm a big worrier I want to be sure I understood: even if I could feel wetness through the clothing I was safe? Herpes isn't also transmitted through body fluids? Or the clothing prevents the virus even when fluids get through? I would be so relieved if that's true.

As it says in that article I linked you to, herpes is not simply spread through body fluids: you need skin-to-skin contact, and that didn't happen.

Thank you so so much and thanks for the quick reply!

You're very welcome.