# Could betadine antiseptic prevent herpes infection? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 30, 2014, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-betadine-antiseptic-prevent-herpes-infection/696951 "2014-08-30T12:28:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sara20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@sara20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sara20)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2014, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-betadine-antiseptic-prevent-herpes-infection/696951/1 "2014-08-30T12:28:36Z")
I was watching this old black and white training film for US sailors made in 1943 before penicillin was out about preventing STD’s. Which can be seen here [- YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDlK38svSeM) and may be NSFW as they show the sailors applying the ointment to their genitals. Basically it said that if you took a shower and washed your genitals right after sex and then applied a antiseptic ointment to your penis, your chances of catching a STD were very low. This led me to wonder if applying a broad spectrum yet gentle antiseptic such as betadine (povidone iodine) which is used in hospitals to prevent wound infection, would prevent catching genital herpes if used right after sex. I think this would only work for males though. ---
**Author:** ![sara20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@sara20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sara20)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2014, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-betadine-antiseptic-prevent-herpes-infection/696951/2 "2014-08-31T21:49:46Z")
No one has any idea? I am posting this as purely speculation but I think it’s worth discussing. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2014, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-betadine-antiseptic-prevent-herpes-infection/696951/3 "2014-08-31T22:30:12Z")
Google? No official will answer that, even if they could. YMMV ---
**Author:** ![sara20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@sara20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sara20)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2014, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-betadine-antiseptic-prevent-herpes-infection/696951/4 "2014-08-31T22:45:29Z")
Think about it if you cut your hand and put betadine on it, it prevents infection. You put betadine on your penis afterwards it prevents herpes infection, and your penis does not even have any cuts so transmission is less likely anyway. It makes logical sense. Betadine is safe for use on the penis and is applied before inserting a catheter. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2014, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-betadine-antiseptic-prevent-herpes-infection/696951/5 "2014-08-31T23:16:10Z")
Although Wikipedia says that a form of povidone-iodine “is efficient also against fungi and viruses (including HIV and Herpes simplex),” I’d want to read the reference to be sure I’m understanding its uses. I’m pretty sure this is for drying out the blisters, and is not a form of disease prevention. This form of betadine appears to concentrate the free iodine, so I suppose this would result in a less-orange penis if used. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2014, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-betadine-antiseptic-prevent-herpes-infection/696951/6 "2014-08-31T23:21:27Z")
Betadine [can be used to dry up herpes sores and prevent secondary infection when you have an outbreak](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CDQQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sahealth.sa.gov.au%2Fwps%2Fwcm%2Fconnect%2Fpublic%2Bcontent%2Fsa%2Bhealth%2Binternet%2Fhealth%2Btopics%2Fhealth%2Bconditions%2Bprevention%2Band%2Btreatment%2Finfectious%2Bdiseases%2Fgenital%2Bherpes&ei=Sa0DVOy5JMrLggSjsoC4Dw&usg=AFQjCNGtVoJ_rD9_ddqQSNv_U5hA4J9v7A&sig2=3YUQ7MMDUipkIwglHhdOoA&bvm=bv.74115972,d.aWw&cad=rja), but I can find no sources or studies showing it to be effective as a prophylactic. Betadine used frequently can also dry out and irritate the skin, causing it to crack open, and providing an excellent infection site for all sorts of STI’s. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2014, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-betadine-antiseptic-prevent-herpes-infection/696951/7 "2014-08-31T23:42:02Z")
Certainly the literature seems to be lacking for evidence of effectiveness, which makes betadine a bad choice for disease prevention. Nor is there much evidence that it prevents recurrences, which would be the other instance in which to use it. Seems like there’s no good reason to use it instead of medications like acyclovir or valacyclovir or others, which have been demonstrated to be both safe and effective in those situations. HSV is a system disease, so it makes sense that topical treatments are going to be less than idea for prevention of initial infections or recurrences. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-betadine-antiseptic-prevent-herpes-infection/696951/8 "2014-09-01T00:43:42Z")
It might work as a prophylactic if applied prior to sex, for who the hell would have sex with someone who’s dick is painted orange other than Oompa-Loompas and clubbers from Jersey? ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-betadine-antiseptic-prevent-herpes-infection/696951/9 "2014-09-01T01:36:54Z")
In the _Oryx and Crake_ books, I believe the Crakers have engorged blue genitals. That might fly in Jersey. When the Lady Crakers are in estrus, I mean. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2014, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-betadine-antiseptic-prevent-herpes-infection/696951/10 "2014-09-03T02:33:33Z")
I can understand how the iodine can stop a bacteria thriving in the muck in the layer of the dead skin cells. But the virus lives in live cells, it travels through fast and then quickly enters into a live cell, where the iodine can’t hurt it. But its no use for bacterial STD’s anyway. POV Iodine , and all iodine, is not safe on genitals… This is because the pov-Iodine can convert to other forms when trapped inside the folds of the skin. Use only only regular skin. It seems counterproductive as the STD will be more easily able to enter into the flesh via the injured (chemical burns) sites. The sailors were using iodine due to high chance of STD, but it seems it would never have tested as beneficial, in a wide scale test. (cost vs benefit analysis) ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2014, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-betadine-antiseptic-prevent-herpes-infection/696951/11 "2014-09-03T02:41:24Z")
> [@Isilder](#): > > The sailors were using iodine due to high chance of STD, but it seems it would never have tested as beneficial, in a wide scale test. (cost vs benefit analysis) The sailors were using mercury containing ointment\*, not betadine. The betadine came from the OP’s own idea. \*Er, not any safer, really. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![sara20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@sara20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sara20)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2014, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-betadine-antiseptic-prevent-herpes-infection/696951/12 "2014-09-03T14:54:02Z")
> [@Isilder](#): > > I can understand how the iodine can stop a bacteria thriving in the muck in the layer of the dead skin cells. But the virus lives in live cells, it travels through fast and then quickly enters into a live cell, where the iodine can’t hurt it. > > But its no use for bacterial STD’s anyway. POV Iodine , and all iodine, is not safe on genitals… This is because the pov-Iodine can convert to other forms when trapped inside the folds of the skin. Use only only regular skin. It seems counterproductive as the STD will be more easily able to enter into the flesh via the injured (chemical burns) sites. > The sailors were using iodine due to high chance of STD, but it seems it would never have tested as beneficial, in a wide scale test. (cost vs benefit analysis) Betadine is applied every time a urinary catheter is inserted to prevent urinary tract infections and is safe for use on the genitals. Although it is a good idea to rinse it off after a few minutes to prevent any irritation. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2014, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-betadine-antiseptic-prevent-herpes-infection/696951/13 "2014-09-03T16:04:52Z")
Just pointing out that what’s good at stopping bacterial infection may not be useful against viral infection. QtM or one of our other medical folk might be able to comment on betadine’s effect on viruses. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2014, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-betadine-antiseptic-prevent-herpes-infection/696951/14 "2014-09-03T19:53:53Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Just pointing out that what’s good at stopping bacterial infection may not be useful against viral infection. QtM or one of our other medical folk might be able to comment on betadine’s effect on viruses. Betadine works quite well against many viruses (as well as bacteria, yeasts, molds, fungi, and protozoans) - as long as it can come into \*contact \*with them. Again, if you can keep a herpes virus sitting nicely on your skin, then Betadine will kill it, sure. Problem is, herpes viruses don’t like to stay \*on \*the skin. They want to go \*in \*the skin, and eventually into the nerves, where Betadine won’t reach them. ---
**Author:** ![Oubli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/85e7bf/32.png) [@Oubli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oubli)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-betadine-antiseptic-prevent-herpes-infection/696951/15 "2017-02-22T11:44:52Z")
Betadine Cold Sore products are effective in all three stages of a cold sore. Betadine Cold Sore products can help against the infection, if applied in the prodromal stage. They can also help if applied during the second stage. Betadine Cold Sore products can also help reduce the spread of infection from one person to another, or from one part of the body to another. This is important because, until healed, the blisters and ulcers of a cold sore are highly contagious. [https://betadine.com.au/products/cold-sores/](https://betadine.com.au/products/cold-sores/) They have a Betadine based product for herpes in Australia. Post sex application probably would be helpful and couldn’t hurt unless your allergic to shellfish! Although applying diluted before hand would make a protective barrier. Source - My whore of a step dad, went to Germany in the Army and picked this trick up from a doctor who survived whoring in Korea and Vietnam. In all the whoring my step dad did over _4 yrs_ he only needed to see a doc once for the clap and that was when he forgot to apply. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-betadine-antiseptic-prevent-herpes-infection/696951/16 "2017-02-22T14:07:10Z")
Reported.