Can you kiss when you have a cold sore

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV for short) is a viral infection that can either result in cold sores, genital sores, or both. HSV can come in 2 forms, type 1 and 2. The World Health Organisation estimates that 3.7 billion people under 50 have HSV-1 globally, while 491 million people aged 15-49 have HSV-2. 

HSV-1 usually causes cold sores, and HSV-2 typically results in genital herpes. However, either type of infection can result in cold sores and genital herpes. HSV-1 is usually contracted through oral-to-oral contact but can sometimes be acquired after oral-genital contact. HSV-2 is exclusively contracted during sex and is considered a sexually transmitted disease.

Order safe and effective treatment for cold sores

Individuals contracting HSV-1 are usually asymptomatic until they develop their first cold sore. Adults are less likely to develop symptoms after primary infection compared to children. The usual symptoms to look out for are sore throat, swollen glands, painful sores in and around the mouth. Along with these symptoms, individuals might also have flu-like symptoms such as fever, nausea, and headaches. 

Cold sores are tiny blisters or sores usually emerging on or around the lips. With 2.5 out of every 1,000 people experiencing a cold sore during their lifetime, this condition is widespread. While cold sores do tend to heal without treatment, they can persist for 1 to 2 weeks before clearing up. You can experience multiple cold sore outbreaks during your life as the virus will remain dormant in your body. Cold sores are highly contagious, so doing something like kissing is quite risky. The risk of contracting HSV-1 is significantly higher when kissing someone with a cold sore. 

Stages 

There is a cold sore healing process from when the sore appears, becomes an open sore, then heals and disappears. There are eight stages to this healing process:

1. Latent period - when the virus is dormant 
2. Prodromal stage - usually causes tingling and skin reddening around the lip 
3. Inflammation stage - the start of the cold sore process
4. Pre-sore stage - painful cold sores begin to develop around the lip
5. Open herpes lesion stage - the cold sores will open and become an exposed sore 
6. Crusting stage - active healing of the cold sore to form a brown crust
7. Healing stage - scab has now fully covered the sore, and new skin is forming underneath 
8. Post-scab stage - the sore has now healed, and skin should be returning to normal

While cold sores usually develop around the lips (herpetic labialis), they may sometimes form inside the mouth (herpetic stomatitis). You may think it is safe to start kissing your partner from stage 6, however, contagion persists during all 8 stages and kissing should be avoided at all costs.

Spreading the virus

Cold sores spread through contact. HSV-1 can lay dormant for years, and individuals might not even realize they have contracted herpes until their first cold sore outbreak. Events like stress, illness, and having a period can trigger a cold sore outbreak. You can get HSV-1 through an innocent kiss, using utensils with shared saliva, or being intimate with your sexual partner. 

Only a very minute percentage of people with an HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection develop cold sore symptoms. You might have an HSV infection and not even know it! It is important to take precautions with your partner even if you are pretty sure you both have or don’t have an HSV infection. 

To kiss or not to kiss

You definitely should not kiss someone with a new cold sore. It is best to just be abstinent until the sore or scab has completely disappeared before kissing or partaking in oral sex. Without a completely healed cold sore, the virus can continue shedding. After an outbreak, the longer you wait, the lower your chances of contracting or passing on the virus. 

Healing and treatment

Cold sores not only acts as a hindrance to intimacy, but also carry a heavy social stigma and can make casual social situations awkward and stressful. Effective antiviral medications are available and widely used for HSV. These antivirals including acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir, can reduce the frequency and severity of the outbreaks.  Sadly, HSV is a lifelong infection. There is currently no cure, just a treatment to suppress symptoms. 

Cold sores can be painful and embarassing.  At times, it may feel like you’re the only person suffering from this condition, when in fact, the white blisters surrounding your lips are incredibly common.

Also known as ‘herpes labialis’, cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV – HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both can cause cold sores, but HSV-2 is spread via contact with the genitals, so you’d have to indulge in oral sex to be infected.

A cold sore (or fever blister) outbreak will usually result in small white sores forming on or surrounding your lips. These typically heal within 2 weeks.

Cold sores are highly contagious, and you should not kiss another person until blisters have healed completely. You should also abstain from oral sex.

Order safe and effective treatment for cold sores

How do cold sores spread?

Approximately half the people in the world are carriers of HSV-1. Some of them may never notice any signs or develop any blisters, while others may have outbreaks multiple times a year.

Herpes simplex is spread via touching of the skin and contact with bodily fluids such as saliva (but also genital fluids in the case of HSV-2). That means you could contract HSV-1 by:

• Kissing someone
• Sharing a toothbrush
• Sharing cutlery
• Using the same towel
• Oral sex

You should always avoid kissing someone with a cold sore because they are most contagious during an outbreak.

When are cold sores contagious?

Cold sores are contagious during all stages of their development and healing process. That means you could easily spread HSV-1 during times when you have active sores.

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.

You should wait 3 to 4 days after your sores have disappeared before kissing someone.

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 you do too.

The most important thing you can do is to monitor for any breakouts. There is no way of knowing whether you will definitely get a cold sore if you kissed someone who has one. Your immune system may be strong enough to fight a flare-up.

If you notice redness or pain developing around your 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.

You can also support your body’s natural defense mechanism by eating plenty of healthy foods, avoiding stress and exercising.

If you do not develop any symptoms, consider yourself lucky, but make sure you take measures not to pass HSV-1 on to others.

The time it takes for an outbreak to develop after kissing a person with a cold sore varies widely. It could take up to 20 days before you notice any signs that you contracted herpes.

I accidentally kissed my baby with cold sore. What should I do?

Neonatal herpes can be very dangerous because babies don’t have a well-developed immune system. The risk of passing HSV-1 to a baby is highest during the first month after birth.

Go and see a doctor if you kissed your baby during a flare-up.

If you notice any of the following signs in your baby, seek an immediate appointment with your healthcare provider:

• Refusal to feed
• Fever
• Rash or blisters on the eyes, mouth or skin
• Irritability

You should seek urgent medical attention for your infant if any of the following signs develop:

• Difficulty waking up or unresponsiveness
• Gasping for air, trouble breathing or rapid breathing
• Lethargy or lack of energy
• Blue skin or a blue tongue

Your doctor will usually treat your baby with an injection of an antiviral drug. Often the parent will also be prescribed medication.

In most cases, babies will recover well. However, make sure you seek treatment for your child immediately.  If left too long, the virus can spread and result in fatality.

Summary

When is it safe to kiss someone after a cold sore? In short, it’s never safe to kiss someone with a cold sore and it’s best to wait a few days after blisters have completely healed before kissing another person.

Remember, it can take 10 to 14 days for cold sores to heal. However, you can speed up the healing process with an antiviral medication.

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