hi noone,

Thanks for posting your question.  I'm not a doctor, so I cannot give medical advice, but I do have herpes and know a lot about it.

I'm not sure I understand your question.  Are you considering buying a merkin and want to know the risks?  ;-)  Ok, seriously, what is the situation that provokes this question?  If you are in a sexual situation where you're in contact with someone's pubic hair, you are already in a situation which can spread herpes.  Any sort of sexual contact can potentially spread herpes.  

The herpes virus itself needs a host, like the human body, to survive.  Without such a host it doesn't live long.  So herpes does not really live on pubic hair, and any pubic trimmings you may find in your bathroom won't cause infection of you.  But if you're having sex with someone, and your bodies are close enough that your pubic hair is interwining...then yes, herpes can be spread in that fashion.  

For more information I suggest you check out the Herpes Prevention, Basics of Herpes, and Herpes Causes and Risk Factors pages.  There's a lot of useful information in there.

If I didn't answer your question, or you would like to be more specific, please write again.

PJ