how long should you wait to kiss someone after having a cold sore?
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The short answer is that it's not. In general, it's best to wait until after the scabs and sores completely disappear before you kiss someone or engage in oral sex. This is because the herpes virus can continue shedding in the late stages of a cold sore healing, even if there's no viral fluid present.
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To treat a cold sore infection, apply lysine cream to the affected area every two hours for 11 days. To manage cold sore infections, the recommended dosage for oral supplements is 1 gram three times daily. To help prevent them, the dosage is 1 gram daily.
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Place ice or a cool, wet towel on the sores 3 times a day. Do this for 20 minutes each time. It may help to reduce redness and swelling. If you are just getting a cold sore, try over-the-counter docosanol (Abreva) cream to reduce symptoms.
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A fever blister, or cold sore, can last from 10 to 14 days. Fever blisters usually occur in groups and cause red, swollen, and sore wounds. They commonly form near the mouth or on other areas of the face, but they may also appear on the tongue or gums.
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Warning signs may include a burning, itching, or tingling feeling. Do not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex — even with a condom. Wait until seven days after the sore heals. The virus can spread from sores not covered by the condom.
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The average incubation period for an initial herpes infection is 4 days (range, 2 to 12) after exposure. The vesicles break and leave painful ulcers that may take two to four weeks to heal after the initial herpes infection.
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Cold sores are highly contagious from the time the first symptom appears. This is usually 1–2 days before the sore becomes visible. Sores remain highly contagious until the skin completely heals. This can take up to 15 days.
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Do not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex — even with a condom. Wait until seven days after the sore heals. The virus can spread from sores not covered by the condom. It can also spread in sweat or vaginal fluids to places the condom doesn't cover.
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After the first outbreak, the others are often shorter and less painful. They may start with burning, itching, or tingling where you had the first outbreak. Then, a few hours later, you'll see the sores. They usually go away in 3 to 7 days.
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For this reason, people with active herpes lesions on or around the mouth or on the genitals should avoid oral sex. The first symptoms usually appear within 1 or 2 weeks—and as late as 3 weeks—after contact with an infected person. The lesions of herpes labialis usually last for 7 to 10 days, then begin to resolve.
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['from skin-to-skin contact with the infected area (including vaginal, anal and oral sex)', 'when there are no visible sores or blisters.', 'if a cold sore touches your genitals.', 'by transferring the infection on fingers from someone else to your genitals.', 'by sharing sex toys with someone who has herpes.']
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Do not have sexual contact with anyone while you are being treated. After treatment, wait at least 7 days and until all of your sores are healed before you have any sexual contact. Even if you use a condom, you and your partner may pass the infection back and forth.
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Do not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex — even with a condom. Wait until seven days after the sore heals. The virus can spread from sores not covered by the condom.
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If your symptoms do not improve after 4 days of treatment with ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream, you should tell your doctor. If you forget to use the cream at any time, use it as soon as you remember.
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The herpes sores (lesions) typically last a week to 10 days. They most often occur around the lips, tongue, or the mucous membrane lining the inside of the mouth (oral mucosa). The sores occur first as fluid-filled blisters that burst (rupture) after a day or two.
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Advertisement. Cold sores spread from person to person by close contact, such as kissing. They're usually caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), and less commonly herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both of these viruses can affect your mouth or genitals and can be spread by oral sex.
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Your saliva typically protects you against bacteria in your partner's saliva. (There will be more bacteria when oral hygiene is poor.) But one bacteria that can be transmitted is MRSA, the serious staph infection. Also, if you have a cold sore, kissing someone can spread the herpes 1 virus.