Cold sores
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ballerina99
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Cold sores
Hello. So both of my parents get cold sores every once in a while, and I am aware that that probably means they both have HSV-1. Does that mean that I probably also have HSV-1? I have never had a cold sore, but I do occasionally have a mildly unusual sensation around my upper lip. However, in my daily life I am quite scared of viruses and illnesses and so I wouldn’t be surprised if this sensation was just in my head. If I’ve never had a cold sore should I not be worried about the virus ? I know that it can be transmitted even if the sites aren’t present, and I don’t want to accidentally transmit something that I didn’t know I had. Thanks so much.
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Sam W
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Re: Cold sores
Hi ballerina99,
While it's common to contact HSV-1 from family members in early life from things like sharing drinks, if you haven't had a cold sore and your parents can't recall you ever having one, it may be that you haven't contracted HSV-1 (it's tricky to say for certain because it can be asymptomatic). If you want to be cautious, you can simply avoid things like sharing drinks with people and, if you do notice symptoms arising, avoid things like kissing while the symptoms are present.
While it's common to contact HSV-1 from family members in early life from things like sharing drinks, if you haven't had a cold sore and your parents can't recall you ever having one, it may be that you haven't contracted HSV-1 (it's tricky to say for certain because it can be asymptomatic). If you want to be cautious, you can simply avoid things like sharing drinks with people and, if you do notice symptoms arising, avoid things like kissing while the symptoms are present.
And you to whom adversity has dealt the final blow/with smiling bastards lying to you everywhere you go/turn to and put out all your strength of arm and heart and brain/and like the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.
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Heather
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Re: Cold sores
Also, you can get a blood test from your healthcare provider to find out if you have it. If you want to do that, be sure to tell them you live with family members with it, so they'll know that an antibody test won't work for you (since you're likely to have them no matter what).
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead
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ballerina99
- not a newbie
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2015 10:16 am
- Age: 25
- Awesomeness Quotient: I've been told I'm a great hugger
- Primary language: English
- Pronouns: She/her
- Sexual identity: Queer
- Location: USA
Re: Cold sores
Okay, thanks !! Should I be cautious about kissing and sharing drinks even if I have no symptoms at the time?
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Heather
- scarleteen founder & director
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- Primary language: english
- Pronouns: they/them
- Sexual identity: queery-queer-queer
- Location: Chicago
Re: Cold sores
Well, we generally want to be cautious (or at least somewhat selective)about sharing drinks and open-mouthed kissing, because those are ways to potentially pass a whole bunch of stuff to someone, from HSV to a cold to the flu, etc.
It sounds to me like you'd honestly benefit from a conversation with a healthcare provider and a test so you know: is that something you have access to and know how to arrange, or can do with help from your parents?
It sounds to me like you'd honestly benefit from a conversation with a healthcare provider and a test so you know: is that something you have access to and know how to arrange, or can do with help from your parents?
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead