When is it safe to kiss someone after a cold sore
It's better to wait for three to four days after the cold sore scab disappears 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.
The longer you wait after an outbreak is healed, the lower your risk of transmitting cold herpes to a partner. Always be patient and wait for the outbreak to completely clear up before you put yourself in a situation where spreading the virus is possible.
The 8 stages of a cold sore healing period
The development and healing process for a cold sore can be divided into eight stages, all of which have the potential for the virus to shed and spread to your partner.
- Latent period: The herpes virus is dormant in the body. Do have any symptoms.
- Prodromal stage: You may experience a tingling sensation on or around the lips and red skin in the affected area. Lasts for one to two days.
- Inflammation stage: The herpes virus targets cells in the lips or mouth, beginning the process of creating a sore. This takes around one day.
- Pre-sore stage: A small, hard blister will begin to develop on or around the lips. These blister are often painful and can make eating, chewing and moving the lips uncomfortable for the affected person. This takes around one to two days.
- Open herpes lesion stage: The blister will open into an exposed sore. Most cold sores remain open for one to two days.
- The crusting stage: The body's immune system begins to actively heal the sore by developing a brown, immunoglobulin crust. The crust will develop into a scab. This takes two to three days.
- The healing stage: A scab has fully enveloped the sore and new skin is developing underneath. The scab will typically remain for up to five days.
- The final stage: The sore will have healed and the skin will be returning to normal. It takes two to three days.
When are cold sores contagious?
Cold sores are contagious at all stages of the development and healing process, meaning you shouldn't kiss anyone, share eating utensils, have oral sex or engage in any other oral contact throughout the entire process of a cold sore developing and healing.
Importantly, HSV-1 can be infectious at all times, whether you have a cold sore or not. But you will be most contagious when blisters are present.
When is it safe to kiss someone after a cold sore? You may wait for one to two weeks until the sores are totally healed. Then wait for another 3 to 4 days after your sores have disappeared before kissing someone.
Do not kiss your partner in the development and healing process for a cold sore. Cold sores are contagious during these eight periods.
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How does kissing transmit HSV?
Oral herpes is mainly transmitted by skin-to-skin contact with someone who carries the virus. You can get it from contact with cold sores, saliva, or the surfaces in and around the mouth.
Around 90 percent of American adults are exposed to HSV-1 by the age of 50. Most contract it during childhood, usually from a kiss from a relative or friend.
Does the type of kiss matter? There isn't any research showing that one type of kiss is riskier than another when it comes to oral herpes risk. That said, there's evidence that the risk of some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) goes up with open-mouthed kissing.
Remember that kissing isn't restricted to the face either — making oral-to-genital contact can transmit HSV, too.
Can your partner get herpes from kissing you without an outbreak?
Is it possible to get herpes from kissing someone even if they don't have an outbreak? The short answer is yes. It doesn't matter if you have a herpes outbreak or not. You can transmit the infection to an uninfected person. As long as you have a herpes infection, you can spread it even if an outbreak has never occurred.
Can you still kiss with herpes?
There's no need to swear off kissing forever on account of herpes, though. Can you still kiss with herpes? The answer is yes. Although there is a slight chance of transmitting the virus even in the absence of any symptoms. If you worry about the chance of transmitting, you can date other poeple with herpes.
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I kissed someone with a cold sore. What should I do?
Don't panic. Given that half the world population has HSV-1, there's a good chance your partner do have too. The most important thing you can do is to let your partner monitor for any breakouts. There is no way of knowing whether your partner will definitely get a cold sore if you kissed someone with a cold sore. Your partner's immune system may be strong enough to fight a flare-up.
If your partner notice redness or pain developing around his or her lips, take an antiviral medication such as acyclovir, famciclovir or valacyclovir immediately. When treated early (within 48 hours of development), cold sores will heal much quicker. It could take up to 20 days before you notice any signs that your partner contracted herpes.
You can let your partner support his or her natural defense mechanism by eating plenty of healthy foods, avoiding stress and exercising.
If your partner does not develop any symptoms, consider yourself lucky, but make sure you take measures not to pass HSV-1 on to others.