In this article, we will go over when cold sores are the most contagious to help you keep your HSV-1 under control without spreading it to others.
More than 50% of U.S. adults under the age of 50 have the HSV-1 virus which causes oral cold sores (also known as “fever blisters”.)
Part of the reason why this number is so high is that HSV-1 is contagious - very contagious.
Even though the majority of adults have this virus, they may very rarely (or never) actually have the symptoms of cold sores due to the virus staying in a dormant state in the nerves most of the time.
In this article, we will go over when cold sores are the most contagious to help you keep your HSV-1 under control without spreading it to others.
Cold sores will remain highly contagious during the entire time that there is a visible sore or scab, or until they are healed completely.
Cold sores generally take 1-2 weeks to clear completely, so it is best to take precautions until the sore is completely healed.
Even once the cold sore is completely gone, the HSV-1 virus will still be dormant in your system.
When you have no active or visible cold sores and your virus is in the dormant stage, there is still a risk of transfer of the HSV-1 virus.
However, the risk of HSV-1 transfer is at the lowest point during this stage, so the risk of transfer during dormancy is much rarer than during an active outbreak.
While some medications may be used to help prevent cold sores from forming or increase healing, they do not help to completely prevent the transfer of the HSV-1 virus to another person.
Cold sores are the most contagious during the time period that they burst and release fluid.
This is sometimes referred to as the “weeping” stage of the cold sore, and the fluid itself is highly contagious as well as the sore.
During this time period, take care to make sure your lips or hands do not come in contact with others and wash your hands often.
While the sore is visible, avoid sharing your clothing, pillows, utensils, or glasses.
Also Read: 8 Cold Sore Stages (And what to expect while yours is healing)
Kissing, or any other intimate contact, increases the risk of HSV-1 transfer to another person.
Lip to lip or lip to body contact should be avoided until the cold sore is completely healed and no longer visible.
Even when the sore has developed a scab, the risk of transfer is still higher than the dormant stage.
The dormant stage, when there are no visible active sores, is the safest time to have close physical contact with another person (although a risk of transfer will still remain.)
Some antiviral medications are available to help reduce cold sore frequency or severity and keep the virus in a dormant state as much as possible.
These medications do not cure the HSV-1 virus or protect you from transferring the virus to others.
These medications include Acyclovir (Zovirax), Famciclovir (Famvir), and Valacyclovir (Valtrex).
These medications are available only through a prescription.
Our U.S. licensed physicians are available to conduct an online visit to see if Valacyclovir is an option for you.
Cold sores are very contagious.
More than 50% of U.S. adults under 50 have the HSV-1 virus which causes cold sores.
Cold sores remain highly contagious until they are healed completely.
The most contagious part of the cold sore healing process is the “weeping” stage when fluid is produced from the wound.
The dormant stage is when there are no active sores and the virus is lying dormant in the nerves.
Even during the dormant stage, there is a risk of HSV-1 transfer, although this risk is lower than during an active outbreak.
Cold sores may be transferred through kissing and close physical contact.
There is no cure for HSV-1, but prescription antiviral medications may help reduce the severity or frequency of outbreaks.
These medications include Acyclovir, Famciclovir, or Valacyclovir.
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