Cold Sores

Are Coldsores Contagious To Others?

Generally, when a person is ill or has some kind of sore on his or her body, the first question that usually comes to mind is whether or not the illness or sore is contagious. According to studies, more than 75,000,000 people experience cold sores annually. With such a widespread occurence, one has to ask, "Are coldsores contagious?". If coldsores are contagious, then it stands to reason that the transmission of these sores could be reduced if people took simple, yet effective precautions.

According to medical authorities, if you ask, "Are coldsores contagious?", the simple answer is "Yes". The cause of a cold sore is the herpes simplex 1 virus. The herpes simplex 1 virus can be transmitted to others through simple contact. Studies show that kissing is the most popular form of transmission.

Another question that might be on many people's minds is "Are cold sores contagious within a person's own body?" In other words, if you touch your cold sore and then touch other parts of your body, will you end up getting another cold sore? The answer to this question is that it is a definite possibility. The best way to avoid spreading the sore is to wash your hands throughly with soap and warm water after touching a cold sore.

Logic tells us that the more we know about a subject, the better we are able to deal with it. Therefore, it would helpful to be able to answer the question, " When are coldsores contagious?". Coldsores are contagious from the moment the blister forms. It doesn't matter if the blister is open or crusted, it still has the potential to be contagious. The best advice is to avoid direct contact between your sore and other people.

If you have small children in your household, you may wonder, "Are coldsores contagious to my children?" Again, many illnesses do not discriminate. Unfortunately, the herpes simplex virus is easily transmitted between any humans that come into contact with the virus. The best course of action is to avoid skin to skin contact with others, and to wash your hands throughly with soap and water after touching a cold sore.

So, in answer to the question, "Are coldsores contagious?", the answer is a definite "Yes". Coldsores are contagious and can be spread easily between humans. It does not matter if the sore is weeping fluid, or if it is crusted over. If there is a sore present, it has the capability of being transmitted to others.