Back to Dealing with Cold Sores articles
HELP STOP THE SPREAD
The first question people ask is, “Are cold sores contagious?” The answer is yes. HSV-1 is as easy to spread as it is tough to fight.
The cold sore virus can be spread through skin-to-skin contact. It sneaks into your body through a mucous membrane in your mouth or damaged skin. It then remains dormant inside a nerve in your cheek until a cold sore trigger awakens it.
FALSE. HSV-1 is a form of the herpes simplex virus that usually affects the lips or mouth, but can spread to the eyes or other areas of the body.
FALSE. HSV-1 is a form of the herpes simplex virus that usually affects the lips or mouth, but can spread to the eyes or other areas of the body.
FALSE. Cold sores are contagious from the first tingle until completely healed.
FALSE. Cold sores are contagious from the first tingle until completely healed.
You can stop the spread and protect others from the virus by following these simple and effective tips.
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![Woman with a cold sore touching her lip.]( "Woman with a cold sore touching her lip.")
Don’t touch
If you find yourself touching your cold sore, stop! If you just can’t, remember to wash your hands right away. Your cold sore is contagious throughout its entire cycle, especially during the blister stage. When it’s weeping or seeping, stand clear!
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![Washing hands with soap]( "Washing hands with soap")
Keep it clean
After washing your face or applying makeup, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. Watch out if you use contact lenses too. Don't use saliva to wet your lenses.
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![Man trying to kiss a woman but she stops him with her hand]( "Man trying to kiss a woman but she stops him with her hand")
Sorry, no kissing
Kissing is sadly off the agenda when you have a cold sore, as you’re very likely to pass on the virus. It’s not just kissing on the mouth. It’s not as common, but the cold sore virus (HSV-1) can spread to other parts of the body like the eyes.
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![Woman brushing her teeth]( "Woman brushing her teeth")
Get a new toothbrush
The virus can hide inside your toothbrush. Get a new toothbrush after the blister has formed and again after the attack has cleared up.
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![Man sharing his food with a woman from a spoon]( "Man sharing his food with a woman from a spoon")
Don’t share
It’s not just direct skin-to-skin contact that spreads the virus. Things like towels, food, utensils, straws, cups and glasses, lipsticks and lip balms can all come into contact with your saliva. If someone else uses them, they can get the virus too.
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![Woman touching her chin and lips]( "Woman touching her chin and lips")
Recognize the tingle
Don’t be fooled by a sneaky cold sore. It’s contagious before you even see it. When you feel that tingling, itching or burning on or around your lips, it’s precaution time. Take the same steps as you would if there were actually a visible cold sore.
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![Mother kissing daughter]( "Mother kissing daughter")
Kids get cold sores too
Actually, the HSV-1 virus is often first contracted during childhood.1 Take the same precautions with children as you do with other adults, even if that means you have to avoid hugging or kissing them.
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![Woman wearing a white winter hat and covering her face with a purple scarf]( "Woman wearing a white winter hat and covering her face with a purple scarf")
Avoid your triggers
Try to limit cold sore flare-ups by knowing your cold sore triggers. Then take action to avoid them. Fewer outbreaks mean a lower risk of infecting others, simple as that. Find out your triggers here
Don’t touch
If you find yourself touching your cold sore, stop! If you just can’t, remember to wash your hands right away. Your cold sore is contagious throughout its entire cycle, especially during the blister stage. When it’s weeping or seeping, stand clear!
Keep it clean.
After washing your face or applying makeup, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. Watch out if you use contact lenses too. Don't use saliva to wet your lenses.
Sorry, no kissing
Kissing is sadly off the agenda when you have a cold sore, as you’re very likely to pass on the virus. It’s not just kissing on the mouth. It’s not as common, but the cold sore virus (HSV-1) can spread to other parts of the body like the eyes.
Get a new toothbrush
The virus can hide inside your toothbrush. Get a new toothbrush after the blister has formed and again after the attack has cleared up.
Don’t share
It’s not just direct skin-to-skin contact that spreads the virus. Things like towels, food, utensils, straws, cups and glasses, lipsticks and lip balms can all come into contact with your saliva. If someone else uses them, they can get the virus too.
Recognize the tingle
Don’t be fooled by a sneaky cold sore. It’s contagious before you even see it. When you feel that tingling, itching or burning on or around your lips, it’s precaution time. Take the same steps as you would if there were actually a visible cold sore.
Kids get cold sores too
Actually, the HSV-1 virus is often first contracted during childhood.1 Take the same precautions with children as you do with other adults, even if that means you have to avoid hugging or kissing them.
Avoid your triggers
Try to limit cold sore flare-ups by knowing your cold sore triggers. Then take action to avoid them. Fewer outbreaks mean a lower risk of infecting others, simple as that. Find out your triggers here
