Can You Catch a Cold Sore?
- Cold sores are also referred to as fever blisters, herpes labialis or sometimes oral herpes and present as painful, watery blisters that erupt on your lips or around the mouth. The cause of all cold sores is the herpes simplex-1 virus (HSV-1). For many, the word "herpes" has negative connotations, but rest assured; numerous people are infected with this type of herpes virus, usually when they are still children. The American Social Health Association states that around half of the U.S. population is infected with HSV-1, and by age 50, almost 90 percent of people have the virus. Once infected, HSV-1 winnows its way to the ganglia (nerves) at the top of your spine, where it lays dormant until it activates.
- If you have a cold sore and come into direct contact with someone who's not been exposed to HSV-1 before, you can give them a fever blister, too. Similarly, someone with a cold sore can pass the HSV-1 to you, if a part of your mouth or face touches their cold sore. However, HSV-1 can also be spread from one person to another by sharing an infected razor, towel or eating utensil. According to NIH, if you don't already have HSV-1, you'll most likely experience your first cold sore symptoms--pain and tingling in the break-out site--between one and three weeks after initial exposure.
- The HSV-1 that causes cold sores also causes infections in other more intimate body parts as well: although genital herpes is usually caused by the herpes simplex-2 virus (HSV-2), outbreaks can be caused by HSV-1 too. So if you have a cold sore and perform oral sex on an uninfected partner, they could get genital herpes. ASHA recommends you avoid this type of sexual activity until your blisters have fully healed. Because HSV-1 can still spread through asymptomatic shedding of the virus in absence of any sores, it's wise to use a barrier method during oral sex, such as a dental dam or condom.
- Cold sores typically heal on their own between seven and ten days, according to the Mayo Clinic. Because these can be quite painful, you may want to use an over-the-counter cream or ointment that contains a topical anesthetic. However, picking at the cold sore or popping it is a bad idea. While it may seem reasonable that getting rid of watery blisters will cause the lesions to dry out and heal sooner, the site may become infected. Additionally, you may transfer HSV-1 from your hands to other body parts.
- Most people who get cold sores never get another one. According to ASHA, only around 25 percent of people with HSV-1 that affects the oral area experience another cold sore. Repeated outbreaks may be caused by menstruation, sun exposure, fever, stress or factors unknown. Those who have frequent or painful outbreaks of cold sores may be prescribed a pill-form antiviral medication. These medications, which go by the brand names of Zovirax, Famvir or Valtrex, are the same as those used to treat genital herpes.