You Kiss Someone With A Cold Sore? Here’s The Best Solution

A cold sore is a collection of tiny, painful blisters caused by herpes simplex virus. In medicine, a cold sore can also be known as Herpes labialis.

Cold sores are extremely contagious, like all other herpes simplex viruses. It is harmful if you kiss someone with a cold sore because there is a high likelihood that the other person may become exposed to and infected by the virus.

We’ll describe in this article how cold sores can spread Herpes simplex virus-1 from one individual to another. We’ll also go through when it’s okay to kiss someone who has a cold sore, have oral sex with them, or engage in any other oral contact.

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What should you do when you kiss someone with a cold sore

The first thing to do when you kiss someone with a cold sore it to quickly wash the kissed area with soap and water. There is no assurance doing so can stop an infection. It doesn’t hurt to clean the area of contact anyway.

Next, keep a watchful eye out for any odd behavior or symptoms. Call your physician for more medical guidance. Seek medical assistance if you notice any unusual symptoms, as the herpes virus can produce a wide range of symptoms, including:

1. Lethargy

2. Blisters and rashes

3. Irritability

4. Fever

5. Lack of appetite

Stages of a cold sore

The typical healing time for cold sores is one to two weeks. They will go through a predictable phase of healing, beginning as a little lip blister that grows into an open sore before covering itself with healing tissue.

There are eight stages to the development and healing of a cold sore, which have the potential for the virus to shed and transmit to other people.

These stages are:

First stage: The latent phase

The latent phase is the first stage of the cold sore. If you have the herpes virus at this stage, you won’t experience any symptoms because it is dormant in your body.

Even if you are symptom-free at this point, your body may still be exuding Herpes simplex virus-1 or Herpes simplex virus-2.

Second stage: The prodromal phase

People frequently report tingling on or near their lips at this time, as well as red skin in the affected area. For most people, this stage lasts one to two days.

You have the best chance of halting a herpes outbreak in its tracks during this stage.

Third stage: The inflammation phase

The inflammation phase is the third stage. If you didn’t take the necessary safeguards during the prodromal stage, the herpes virus now starts to target cells in the lips or mouth and start the process of developing a sore.

With swelling and pain in the affected area, this takes about a day.

Fourth stage: The pre-sore phase

One or more tiny, firm blisters will start to form on or near the lips for one to two days. These blisters can make eating, chewing, and moving the lips uncomfortable for the person who has them. They are frequently painful.

Fifth stage: The open herpes lesion phase

The fifth stage of the cold sore is the open herpes lesion phase. Here, the blister will erupt into an exposed sore at this time. Most cold sores are contagious for one to two days while they are still visible and open.

Sixth stage: The crusting phase

This is the development of a brown immunoglobulin crust that signals the body’s immune system to start aggressively healing the sore at this time. The crust typically turns into a scab after two to three days.

Seventh stage: The healing phase

The lesion is now entirely covered by a scab, and fresh skin is growing underneath. Normally, the scab lasts up to five days, during which the cold sore is still contagious.

Eighth stage: The post-scab phase

The post-scab phase is the eighth stage and last stage. The sore will have healed by this time, and the skin will start to look normal again. Some redness may still linger in the affected area for two to three days after the injury.

You shouldn’t kiss somebody, have oral sex, exchange eating utensils, or engage in any other oral contact while a cold sore is developing or healing simply because cold sores are contagious at all stages of the formation and healing process.

How do cold sores spread?

Contact with those who have the infection can transmit cold sores. Since cold sores are so common, the Herpes simplex virus-1 that produces them is already present in most people.

In reality, according to the majority of studies, Herpes simplex virus-1 is present in about 47.8% of all adults between the ages of 14 and 49.

Most people get Herpes simplex virus-1 without even being aware of it, frequently due to close physical contact with a partner, an accidental kiss from a family, or even touch with objects like dining utensils, razors, etc., can unintentionally spread the virus.

You may never get a cold sore, even if you already have Herpes simplex virus-1. This is because only a insignificant proportion of those with Herpes simplex virus -1 or Herpes simplex virus -2 infection have physical symptoms like cold sores or genital herpes.

Even if you’re reasonably confident that you or your spouse already have Herpes simplex virus -1, it’s still necessary to take precautions to stop cold sores from spreading.

When is it safe to kiss someone after a cold sore?

It’s advisable to refrain from oral sex or to kiss until the scabs and sores have completely healed. This is because the herpes virus can still be shed during the healing of a cold sore, even if viral fluid is not present.

The chance of spreading cold sores to a partner or another person decreases the longer you wait following an eruption.

As always, it’s better to exercise patience and hold off on doing anything that could increase the risk of the virus spreading until the epidemic has subsided.

How can I get a cold sore without kissing someone?

Shared towels, razors, and dining utensils could all spread cold sores. Due to the ease of transmission through contact with bodily fluids that are infected, cold sores are most contagious.

Will I get a cold sore if I kiss someone with one?

The infection can still spread even if you cannot see the sores. But because the virus is most contagious when blisters are still active, you should take extra care to avoid kissing anyone with them.

Is it possible to kiss someone with a cold sore and not get it?

Without a doubt, you shouldn’t kiss someone who has a recent cold sore. It is advisable to simply refrain from kissing or engaging in oral sex until the sore or scab has completely healed because if you kiss someone with a cold sore, you’ll get infected.

The virus can keep shedding if a cold sore is not fully recovered. The longer you wait following an epidemic, the less likely you are to catch the virus or spread it to others.

How can a cold sore be treated?

Cold sores can be very troublesome, especially if they prevent you from having intimate relationships with your partner.

Unfortunately, they sometimes carry a social stigma that makes social gatherings like lunch with friends awkward and difficult.

You can utilize some very efficient drugs available on the market to quicken the healing process and cure cold sores when they erupt. Often, treating cold sores as soon as they appear can stop them from progressing all the way.

Cold sores can be treated with efficient antiviral medicines, which are often utilized.

Acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir are three antivirals that can lessen the frequency and intensity of outbreaks.

Frequently asked questions