Is a cold sore contagious ?
455607
Absolutely - a cold sore is a herpes outbreak. So it is absolutely contagious and incurable.\n\nPeople are saying it's "a version" of Herpes, and "herpes' little sister," No.  It's Herpes, period.  Simplex 1, 2, 76 - who cares.  It's HERPES.  Not herpes' little sister, or a variation on herpes, or sorta kinda like herpes in a way, or herpes the remix.  It is pure and simple herpes.  Cold sores and fever blisters are attributed to colds and fevers because the symptoms that accompany the outbreak are cold/flu-like symptoms, ie, cold/fever.  Please do not let anyone LESSEN the idea that this sore is evidence that someone is infected with the herpes virus... no matter their age.  And please understand that you can STILL contract and/or transmit the herpes virus even when there is no outward evidence of an outbreak.
465180
No - the virus does not travel through or contaminate water.  Water will kill any virus that is contained in fluids coming off the sore.\n\nI suppose you could be at some risk if you got right on someone's sore while in a hot tub - but that's still skin-to-skin contact.\n\nYou get herpes from coming in contact with either a herpes sore or right before they break out.  \n\nThere are 2 types of herpes - oral and genital.  They are transmitted the same way.  Genital herpes tends to cause larger, more painful sores.  Oral herpes tends to cause small sores - most commonly called cold sores.
388268
Hi, I am presuming from your question that you get cold sores. If you do, the next 'tingle' you get, which a lot of cold sore sufferers say is the first sign of a cold sore, try using a drop of PURE TEATREE OIL directly onto the skin where the 'tingle' is felt and if the cold sore does appear, continue to use the teatree oil,once in the morning, and once at night to shorten the length of its reign. Please also remember that the virus can be transmitted by kissing, something my now eighteen yr old daughter knows about due to the fact that her grandad gave her a very innocent kiss when she was a child while having an active cold sore - cold sores forever now!Take care xx
37948
Re: the post above...You cannot get cold sores or genital herpes from cats or dogs.  They do not carry the virus.\n\nHerpes is a big family of viral infections, including: \noral herpes/herpes simplex 1 (cold sores,) \ngenital herpes/herpes simplex 2, \nchicken pox, \nshingles, etc.\n\nThe symptoms of each are different though.  \n\nCold sores tend to be small and most commonly are found on the lips and the area around the mouth.\n\nGenital herpes tends to produce larger sores (but not always!), and can be painful.\n\nA doctor can figure out which type you have.\n\nKeep in mind, when it comes to oral sex, you can transmit cold sores to someone's genitals.  You can also transmit genital herpes to someone's mouth.\n\nThere are tons of over the counter medicines for cold sores, and many prescription medicines for genital hepres.
659397
Contagious in the normal sense - no.  If, however, someone else touches the part that still has the sap on it then it can get passed on.  This is a contact type of problem - no contact, no problem.
303754
Cold sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex II virus.  You can get them if you have run a fever or if your immune system has been compromised.  So, it isn't far fetched to experience them while your body is fighting off a cold.
746028
Well it means that you were kissing someone who had a cold sore....it is a form of Herpes and can be contracted via the oral/fecal route....in other words.....oral sex or kissing
556082
First of all, it doesn't come from "nasty people who have sex with many people". That girl is such a moron. Anyway, you may become infected by someone who is carrying the virus by having sexual relations with them. This also includes oral sex. You've seen people with cold sores, right? If someone has oral sex with another person who has the disease they may contract oral herpes. Same idea with genital herpes. If someone has herpes they may have active outbreaks or they may never have an outbreak in their life. They may not even know they have the virus but they are still able to pass it on. Even if you use protection there is still a chance to contract the disease. \nThere is no cure for herpes. It lies dormant in your spinal cord until it activates, then it rises to the surface of the skin to the spot where the disease was first contracted. It causes painful red sores that usually last for 1-2 weeks.
540551
If someone has a cold sore on their lips, it is called Herpes and it can be caught from another person. If a person has herpes on the genital area and you were to kiss there you would also have a chance of catching herpes. Hope this answers your question.
762556
You will not pass the cold sores (HSV-1) on to your child.  Herpes is a virus and must be passed through contact.  If your partner has genital herpes, she may spread the virus to the baby through childbirth.  \n\nBe careful about kissing your baby when you do have cold sores because they are highly contagious.  Also, know that cold sores can be passed to the genitals through oral sex.\n\nHope this helps!
159435
Yep : (. The viruses that can cause these types of upper respiratory tract infections are VERY contagious.
465678
Canker sores are usually caused my stress or by some kind of trauma in the area like when you accidently bite your cheek. Canker sores occur in the mouth and on the gums and sometimes tongue.\n\nMost people think canker sores are a type of herpes but thats wrong. Herpes are sores that occur outside of the mouth like on and around the lips. These are contagious while canker sores are not.\n\nIf you have a canker sore just rine your mouth out with warm salt water or listerine. Then it will go away in a few days.
959972
see a dr - could be the onset of a cold sore - the dr would be able to diagnose - b careful because they sometimes misdiagnose
24625
Yes. \nA person is considered contagious when prodromal symptoms, active sores, and healing lesions are present, however herpes can be potentially contagious when no symptoms are present. That is, a person who has genital herpes has the potential to always be shedding active virus. \n\nBut keep in mind that everyone is different-- all bodies and immune systems are different, and the longer you're infected, the less common any such outbreaks will occur. The physical ailment is minor compared to the mental anguish brought about by those in the world who "aren't infected," or simply not informed on such matters. Funny how many people in the world who have HSV (or-al canker sores) and think they DON'T have herpes. And yes, even that form of HSV can be spread from a person's mouth to their partner's genitals through or-al contact. \nEver wonder why there are so many Valtrex commercials on TV these days? The increase in infections has skyrocketed since the '70's. I think W caused that, too. ;)
449049
I hate cold sores.  Cold sores are caused by the virus known as herpes simplex type I (HSV-1). After the first episode of the disease, the virus lies dormant in the nerves or skin around the original area until something sets the virus off into another eruption. Colds, flu, and even stress can cause you to have an outbreak of cold sores. Why you have an outbreak at one time of life and not another is not clearly understood. \n\nI have found that the only thing that works for me is an antiviral agent such as a drug called acyclovir (Zovirax), and if it is applied at the very first sign of a cold sore then the outbreak will be hardly noticeable.  I have a prescription for this and use it as soon as I get that first tingle that signals an outbreak.\n\nIf you ask your pharmacist, he would be able to direct you to a cold sore treatment readily available that would not require a prescription as Zovirax does.\n\nBelow is a site with a lot more info on cold sores.
1054808
Don't let these people freak you out with the herpes virus.\n\nTons of people have some form of it, and a sore on your toungue/cold sore/etc. ARE varieties of it. Don't worry, it will go away on it's own. \n\nIt's mostly common in children. Just give it time and let it go away on it's own. Everyone gets them from time to time.
804819
Cold sores are better known as herpes simplex (1,2).Its a nasty virus that infects the mucous membranes(eyes,mouth,and genitals.)It can be spread through physical or sexual contact with an infected person.