When is herpes simplex 1 most contagious

World Health Organization. How long are cold sores contagious for? Medical News Today. How Long are Cold Sores Contagious for?. Can It Spread to Your Body? Recurrent Herpes Simplex Labialis.

How Contagious Are Cold Sores?. Everyday Health. Cold Sore. Mayo Clinic. Can Cold Sores Be Prevented?. National Center for Biotechnology Information. By clicking the link s above, you will be taken to an external website that is independently operated and not managed by GSK. GSK assumes no responsibility for the content on the website. If you do not wish to leave this website, do not click on the links above.

You are now leaving the Abreva. GSK assumes no responsibility for the site. Search Search. How Are Cold Sores Spread? Is a Cold Sore Contagious? When Are Cold Sores Contagious? Sharing lip balms, lipsticks or other items that have come into contact with the saliva of someone who has a cold sore. People who develop cold sores may experience them less frequently as they age.

Reactivation also tends to be more common in the first year after the initial outbreak. Symptoms typically last for up to 2 weeks , though some people may not develop any symptoms at all.

Many people experience a burning, itching, or tingling sensation on or around the lips 1—2 days before a cold sore appears. This is called the prodrome stage. During the next stage, fluid filled blisters will develop.

Around a third of people experience cold sores at the same location each time. Within 48 hours , the blisters tend to burst and leak fluid. This stage can be painful and may last for around 3 days. This is when the cold sores may be most contagious. In the final stage, a scab forms over the wound.

The scab may crack or bleed until it finally clears up. Once the skin is clear of the cold sore, it is no longer possible to transmit it to someone else. Most cold sore outbreaks do not require a visit to the doctor. They typically clear up on their own within 7—12 days. Trying home treatments during this time can reduce discomfort. They can also prevent transmission to other parts of the body and other people. People should see their doctor if cold sores are severe or persist beyond 15 days.

A doctor may recommend:. People who experience regular outbreaks may need to take prescription medication to keep their symptoms under control.

In these cases, the cold sores may not go away on their own. Medical treatment can also help prevent complications. When cold sores are present, people should take extra precautions during contact with people who have weaker immune systems. This includes children and newborn babies, whose immune systems have had less time to develop. People can also take measures to reduce their chance of experiencing a cold sore outbreak.

These include:. There is currently no cure for cold sores. This means that once a person contracts HSV-1, they will have it for life. The sores can last several days, and the blisters can take two to three weeks to heal completely. Recurrences typically appear at the same spot each time and tend to be less severe than the first outbreak. Children under 5 years old may have cold sores inside their mouths and the lesions are commonly mistaken for canker sores.

Canker sores involve only the mucous membrane and aren't caused by the herpes simplex virus. Cold sores are caused by certain strains of the herpes simplex virus HSV. HSV -1 usually causes cold sores. HSV -2 is usually responsible for genital herpes.

But either type can spread to the face or genitals through close contact, such as kissing or oral sex. Shared eating utensils, razors and towels might also spread HSV Cold sores are most contagious when you have oozing blisters because the virus easily spreads through contact with infected body fluids.

But you can spread the virus even if you don't have blisters. Many people who are infected with the virus that causes cold sores never develop signs and symptoms. Once you've had an episode of herpes infection, the virus lies dormant in nerve cells in your skin and may emerge as another cold sore at the same place as before.

Recurrence may be triggered by:. Cold sores on the lips can be embarrassing and tough to hide. But, turns out, you might not have a reason to be embarrassed. Now, a very small percentage of those people will actually develop cold sores. Pritish Tosh, an infectious diseases specialist at Mayo Clinic, says, genetics determines whether a person will develop cold sores.

The problem is people can spread the herpes virus whether they develop cold sores or not. Herpes virus spreads through physical contact like kissing, sharing a toothbrush — even sharing a drinking glass — or through sexual contact.

Almost everyone is at risk of cold sores. Most adults carry the virus that causes cold sores, even if they've never had symptoms. You're most at risk of complications from the virus if you have a weakened immune system from conditions and treatments such as:.

In some people, the virus that causes cold sores can cause problems in other areas of the body, including:. Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication for you to take on a regular basis if you develop cold sores more than nine times a year or if you're at high risk of serious complications.

If sunlight seems to trigger your recurrences, apply sunblock to the spot where the cold sore tends to erupt. Or talk with your doctor about using an oral antiviral drug as a preventive if you expect to be doing an activity that tends to trigger your condition, such as intense sunlight exposure.