 [ Symptoms ] i believe i contracted herpes from tanning machine at gym [ Disease ] well the hsv 2 or herpes simplex virus 2 is responsible for causing genital herpes the virus dies within seconds when coming in contact with air and is also easily inactivated by a number of disinfectants so chances of transmission by tanning machine are less so possibly there is some other method of transmission for now start antiviral drugs understand supervision of your physician so that you do not experience outbreak of sores hope this helps