When are Herpes Not Contagious: How Long Are Cold Sores Contagious?

27.06.202315.06.2023 by alexxlab

When does a cold sore stop being contagious? Tips for prevention. Learn how long cold sores are contagious and discover ways to protect yourself and others.

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Understanding Cold Sores and Herpes Contagion

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which is highly contagious. This means that cold sores remain contagious until they heal completely, typically within two weeks. Contrary to the common belief, cold sores do not stop being contagious once they have scabbed over.

How HSV-1 Spreads

HSV-1 is transmitted through close contact with infected skin or saliva, such as kissing, oral sex, or sharing personal items like utensils or towels. The virus enters the body through small breaks in the skin. Even people who have the virus but are not experiencing an outbreak can still spread it to others.

Factors that Reactivate HSV-1

While HSV-1 remains in the body for life, it can lie dormant in the nerve cells until something triggers its reactivation. Factors that can reactivate the virus include stress, fatigue, infection, fever, hormonal changes, sun exposure, surgery, or physical injury.

Prevalence of HSV-1

HSV-1 is very common, with about 50% to 80% of people in the United States living with the virus. Most adults are exposed to the virus by the age of 50, but the frequency of outbreaks tends to decrease as people get older.

Early Signs of Herpes Infection

If you have never had a cold sore before, early signs of a potential HSV-1 infection may include tingling, swelling, or soreness around the mouth, as well as fever, painful mouth sores, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, headache, and general aches and pains.

Managing Cold Sore Outbreaks

While there is no cure for HSV-1, prescription antiviral medications can help speed up the healing process of cold sores. These medications may come in the form of pills or creams, and in severe cases, injections may be necessary.

Prevention Strategies

To avoid spreading the virus, it’s important to avoid contact with others when you have a visible cold sore and to practice good hygiene, such as not sharing personal items. Additionally, you can take steps to prevent cold sore outbreaks, such as managing stress, getting enough sleep, and protecting your skin from UV exposure.

In summary, cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) are highly contagious and remain so until the sores have healed completely, which typically takes about two weeks. Understanding the nature of the virus, its transmission, and effective management strategies can help individuals protect themselves and others from potential infection.

Does the herpes virus remain contagious even after a cold sore has scabbed over?. Yes, the herpes virus remains contagious even after a cold sore has scabbed over. The common belief that cold sores are no longer contagious once they have scabbed is not accurate. The herpes virus can still be transmitted through contact with the infected skin or saliva until the cold sore has healed completely, which usually takes around two weeks.

How can you protect others when you have a cold sore?. To protect others when you have a cold sore, you should avoid close contact with others, such as kissing or sharing personal items like utensils, towels, or lip balm. It’s also important to practice good hygiene, such as washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching the cold sore. If possible, try to keep the cold sore covered with a bandage or lip balm to minimize the risk of transmission.

What are some effective ways to prevent cold sore outbreaks?. There are several effective ways to help prevent cold sore outbreaks, including:
– Managing stress: Stress can be a major trigger for cold sore outbreaks, so finding ways to manage stress through relaxation techniques, exercise, or counseling can be helpful.
– Getting enough sleep: Fatigue can also contribute to cold sore outbreaks, so ensuring you get adequate sleep is important.
– Protecting your skin from UV exposure: Exposure to sun and UV light can reactivate the herpes virus, so using sunscreen and limiting time in the sun can help prevent outbreaks.
– Avoiding triggers: Identifying and avoiding other personal triggers, such as hormonal changes or certain foods, can also help prevent cold sore outbreaks.

How long does it typically take for a cold sore to heal completely?. Cold sores typically take about 2 weeks to heal completely. The timeline can vary depending on factors like the severity of the outbreak and individual healing rates, but in most cases, the cold sore will go through the following stages:
– Tingling or burning sensation (1-2 days)
– Blisters form (2-3 days)
– Blisters break and ooze (3-5 days)
– Scab forms (5-10 days)
– Scab falls off (10-14 days)
During this entire 2-week process, the cold sore remains contagious and can spread the herpes virus to others through direct contact.

Can you spread the herpes virus to others even when you don’t have an active cold sore?. Yes, it is possible to spread the herpes virus to others even when you don’t have an active cold sore. The herpes simplex virus can lie dormant in the body and be shed intermittently, even when no visible symptoms are present. This is known as asymptomatic viral shedding. While the risk of transmission is much lower during asymptomatic periods compared to when an active cold sore is present, it is still possible to spread the virus to others through contact with the infected skin or saliva.

When Does a Cold Sore Stop Being Contagious? Tips for Prevention

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Medically reviewed by Cameron White, M. D., MPH — By Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. — Updated on May 4, 2023

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Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Cold sores. (2015).
health.harvard.edu/oral-health/cold-sores
Cold sores. (2017).
nhs.uk/conditions/cold-sores/
Cold sores. (n.d.).
aad.org/public/diseases/contagious-skin-diseases/cold-sores
Cold sores: Reference summary. (2007).
go.sdsu.edu/student_affairs/healthpromotion/files/03724-Cold_Sores_-_English__(mufassercom)_08-2012.pdf
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Cold sore.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cold-sore/symptoms-causes/syc-20371017
Oral herpes. (n.d.).
hopkinsmedicine. org/healthlibrary/conditions/adult/infectious_diseases/Oral_Herpes_22,OralHerpes

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

May 4, 2023

Written By

Jill Seladi-Schulman, PhD

Edited By

Frank Crooks

Aug 14, 2019

Medically Reviewed By

Cameron White, MD, MPH

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Cameron White, M.D., MPH — By Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. — Updated on May 4, 2023

When Does a Cold Sore Stop Being Contagious? Tips for Prevention

Health Conditions
- Featured
  - Breast Cancer
  - IBD
  - Migraine
  - Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  - Rheumatoid Arthritis
  - Type 2 Diabetes
- Articles
  - Acid Reflux
  - ADHD
  - Allergies
  - Alzheimer’s & Dementia
  - Bipolar Disorder
  - Cancer
  - Crohn’s Disease
  - Chronic Pain
  - Cold & Flu
  - COPD
  - Depression
  - Fibromyalgia
  - Heart Disease
  - High Cholesterol
  - HIV
  - Hypertension
  - IPF
  - Osteoarthritis
  - Psoriasis
  - Skin Disorders and Care
  - STDs
Discover
- Wellness Topics
  - Nutrition
  - Fitness
  - Skin Care
  - Sexual Health
  - Women’s Health
  - Mental Well-Being
  - Sleep
- Product Reviews
  - Vitamins & Supplements
  - Sleep
  - Mental Health
  - Nutrition
  - At-Home Testing
  - CBD
  - Men’s Health
- Original Series
  - Fresh Food Fast
  - Diagnosis Diaries
  - You’re Not Alone
  - Present Tense
- Video Series
  - Youth in Focus
  - Healthy Harvest
  - No More Silence
  - Future of Health
Plan
- Health Challenges
  - Mindful Eating
  - Sugar Savvy
  - Move Your Body
  - Gut Health
  - Mood Foods
  - Align Your Spine
- Find Care
  - Primary Care
  - Mental Health
  - OB-GYN
  - Dermatologists
  - Neurologists
  - Cardiologists
  - Orthopedists
- Lifestyle Quizzes
  - Weight Management
  - Am I Depressed? A Quiz for Teens
  - Are You a Workaholic?
  - How Well Do You Sleep?
- Tools & Resources
  - Health News
  - Find a Diet
  - Find Healthy Snacks
  - Drugs A-Z
  - Health A-Z
Connect
- - Breast Cancer
  - Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  - Psoriatic Arthritis
  - Migraine
  - Multiple Sclerosis
  - Psoriasis

Medically reviewed by Cameron White, M. D., MPH — By Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. — Updated on May 4, 2023

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

How we reviewed this article:

Cold sores. (2015).
health.harvard.edu/oral-health/cold-sores
Cold sores. (2017).
nhs.uk/conditions/cold-sores/
Cold sores. (n.d.).
aad.org/public/diseases/contagious-skin-diseases/cold-sores
Cold sores: Reference summary. (2007).
go.sdsu.edu/student_affairs/healthpromotion/files/03724-Cold_Sores_-_English__(mufassercom)_08-2012.pdf
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Cold sore.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cold-sore/symptoms-causes/syc-20371017
Oral herpes. (n.d.).
hopkinsmedicine. org/healthlibrary/conditions/adult/infectious_diseases/Oral_Herpes_22,OralHerpes

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

May 4, 2023

Written By

Jill Seladi-Schulman, PhD

Edited By

Frank Crooks

Aug 14, 2019

Medically Reviewed By

Cameron White, MD, MPH

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Cameron White, M.D., MPH — By Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. — Updated on May 4, 2023

Herpes infection: myths and prevention

Herpes is a viral disease with a characteristic eruption of clustered blisters on the skin and mucous membranes. This is the most common viral disease, the causative agent of which is HSV, that is, the herpes simplex virus. The Herpesviridae family of viruses can cause life-threatening diseases, infections, recurrent infections, transplacental infections, which can cause birth defects in children.

With the onset of cold weather, more and more people appear with characteristic rashes on the lips. It would seem that this is a common and not at all mysterious disease, but the average patient knows nothing about herpes – except that “it’s such a fever on the lips. ” Herodotus wrote about herpes a hundred years before our era: it was the “father of history” who gave herpes its modern name (from the Greek “herpein” – to crawl) – because of the ability of herpetic ulcers to “spread” in different directions from the primary vesicle on the skin. For many centuries of “communication” with herpes, this disease has become overgrown with myths.

Myth 1. Herpes is not contagious . Exactly the opposite. Herpes is transmitted by airborne droplets (when coughing, sneezing, talking), contact (when kissing, using shared utensils, lipstick) and sexually. It is also possible that the child is infected from the mother when passing through the birth canal. This usually happens if the mother contracted genital herpes in the third trimester of pregnancy. At the same time, antibodies that she passes on to the child do not have time to be produced in her body. And if there is damage to the placenta, the child can become infected in the uterine period of development – such herpes is called congenital.

Myth 2. Herpes is a manifestation of the “cold” . In fact, herpes is an independent disease that predetermines the herpes simplex virus. It is usually activated during hypothermia, stress, overwork, exacerbation of chronic diseases or a decrease in general immunity.

Myth 3. If rashes appear on the lips, the cold subsides. The common point of view, however, has nothing to do with reality. In fact, the appearance of a rash means that a respiratory infection has weakened the immune system, and this has given the herpes virus the opportunity to actively operate.

Myth 4. If the rash is gone, herpes is cured. That would be great, but unfortunately it is impossible to remove the virus from the body. He stays with a person for life, and you can only force him to be in a “sleeping” state. Therefore, the herpes virus is present in 95% of people, with the majority acquiring it at the age of 3-4 years, but its manifestation is only in about 20% of people.

Myth 5. You can get herpes only if you have a rash. Indeed, in the active phase of the disease, more viral particles are released and the likelihood of infection is higher. But the transmission of infection can be at any time through invisible microtrauma of the skin and mucous membranes.

Myth 6. Herpes on the lips (labial) and on the genitals (genital) are two completely different diseases, infection does not occur during oral sex. This is only partially correct. Indeed, labial herpes is usually predetermined by the first type of herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), and genital – by the second (HSV-2). However, both types of the virus can lead to a rash on both the lips and genitals. Especially often such a change in “residence” occurs just during oral sex.

Myth 7. A condom completely protects against infection with genital herpes. The condom really reduces the risk of infection, but, unfortunately, it does not give a 100% guarantee. Transmission of the virus can take place through areas of the body that are not covered by a condom, or through certain defects in the “rubber friend” (for example, poor quality or excessively porous).

Myth 8. The best treatment is cauterization with alcohol, iodine or brilliant green . Cauterization does not affect the herpes virus and its activity, but it is very easy to burn damaged skin and mucous membranes in this way. It is better to gently lubricate the rash with an antiseptic that does not contain alcohol so that a purulent infection does not join. Manifestations of herpes are treated with special antiviral drugs, for example, acyclovir, which prevents the virus from multiplying. With frequent exacerbations, drugs are used that stimulate the immune system, and fortifying agents.

Myth 9. Herpes is a harmless disease and only affects the skin . In fact, herpes ranks second in terms of mortality from viral infections, second only to SARS. The herpes simplex virus is built into the genome of nerve cells, so the rash occurs at the sites of nerve endings and is accompanied by severe pain. Theoretically, herpes can be everywhere where there is nervous tissue, and therefore – in almost any organ. With a decrease in general and local immunity, herpetic inflammation can develop in the mucous membrane of the mouth and larynx, cornea and conjunctiva of the eye, lymph nodes, internal genital organs, intestines, liver, kidneys, lungs and central nervous system. With brain damage, most patients die or remain disabled. In addition, with congenital herpes, multiple developmental defects and even death of the baby are likely, and genital herpes significantly increases the risk of developing cervical cancer in women and prostate cancer in men.

How not to catch herpes

Strictly follow the rules of personal hygiene. Labial herpes is an infectious disease! Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after exposure to cold sores and after applying antiviral cream.
Do not touch your eyes with your hands! This is especially true for women as they do makeup.
Do not use saliva to wet contact lenses.
Do not touch areas affected by herpes! Regardless of the intense itching and pain, never touch a herpes rash, don’t kiss, especially with children, don’t use someone else’s lipstick and don’t lend your own to anyone, don’t share one cigarette with a friend.
Do not attempt to remove blisters or scabs to avoid spreading infection to other areas of the body.
Avoid oral sex. Oral sex with labial herpes can cause genital herpes in your partner.
Use separate towels and utensils, do not drink from other people’s glasses.

how many days a person is contagious to others

Content

The process of infection from the point of view of biology
Ways of transmission of herpes simplex
Transmission from mother to child
Is the patient contagious if there are no rashes on his lips yet?
The main causes contributing to the occurrence of herpes on the lips

There is a common opinion – who did not suffer from herpes, he did not have a childhood.

This statement is more erroneous than true. Everyone suffers from herpes – from young to old, regardless of gender and age, you don’t have time to come to your senses – and now, a cold has jumped on your lips. Where did she come from?

Let’s try to figure out where herpes comes from and how it is transmitted.

The process of infection from the point of view of biology

Speaking in the language of a simple layman, avoiding deep scientific terms and definitions, it should be noted that herpes is a sophisticated and insidious infectious resident.

Its abilities are such that, penetrating through the damaged skin or mucous membrane, it is able to integrate into the DNA chain in order to further reproduce its own kind for further movement through the body.

Immediately it is worth noting his deceit, it lies in a paradox – this is not an active enemy for a person.

Having met a stable immune system on its way, it lurks in the cellular space, so to speak, until “better times”.

As soon as they come, and this is, first of all, the weakening of the body’s protective shield as a result of many circumstances, the main of which is a human disease, herpes immediately begins to show its vile character.

The virus leaves the affected cell, moves along the nerve endings, reaching the mucous membranes and breaking out to the surface of the skin.

Unfortunately, only then, seeing scaly vesicles on the lips, irritating and inflaming the skin, the patient and his environment think about how to avoid the transmission of this disease to other people.

Ways of transmission of herpes simplex

Recall that the herpes virus is transmitted through the skin and mucous membranes of the human body.

In the vast majority of cases, infection occurs:

by airborne droplets;
by touching infected items, these can be: tea and dining utensils, towels, toothbrushes, lipstick and other items of personal hygiene and personal use;
oral sexual contact;
transmission to a child, including a newborn, from an infected mother;
in medical institutions where health workers neglect basic hygiene standards by not using personal protective equipment;
through the mucous membrane on the lips (kiss).

Infection through kissing is possible only when the lips are covered with moist, inflamed, oozing sores. The patient is not a carrier of the infection when there is already a dry, non-itchy crust on his lips.

Contact mode

This is perhaps the most common mode of transmission of the virus. Contact, it is worth noting, can be both with an animate and inanimate object.

Once touching the wound on the lips with fingers, and further contacting with objects of general use, with a high degree of probability it can be said that the patient will transfer the infection to them.

Unfortunately, athletes of contact sports such as boxing, wrestling, martial arts, football, basketball can become infected with herpes virus. In a word, where there is a dense bodily contact.

When a sick person kisses a healthy person, one can speak with almost 100% certainty about infection. Children are most prone to infection through kissing. This is understandable – the immune system of children is not yet strong and is open to the penetration of various diseases, including herpes.

Sexual contacts of a patient with a healthy person, and in different forms, is a direct way to infection with herpes simplex, not to mention such a form of herpes as genital. Continuing such a juicy topic as the connection of the sexes, it is worth warning that you need to be extremely careful during oral sex, where the likelihood of getting a whole “bouquet” of various types of the virus is extremely high.

Video from the expert:

Airborne droplets

This mode of transmission is equally common. As a rule, the carrier is a patient who is not only infected with the herpes virus, but also already suffering from an acute respiratory illness.

An organism weakened by a cold is an extremely “favorable” reason for the appearance of characteristic visual signs on the lips. In 80% of cases this is what happens.

Acute respiratory disease and herpes are “brothers in misfortune”, constantly accompanying each other on this path.

It is extremely important that during this period the patient wears a bandage on his face, which would provide double protection from others – from herpes and from colds.

Unfortunately, the general culture of the population is such that people who are afraid of being infected prefer to wear personal protective equipment, rather than those who are already infected with the virus.

For ignorant readers, it is worth explaining once again that the nature of influenza and herpes viruses is different. The only conditions common to them that are beneficial for spreading are a weakened immune system.

It is during the shock release of pathogenic organisms by the sick (coughing, sneezing) and the simultaneous inhalation of these particles by a healthy person that the virus penetrates through the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs into a favorable environment for it.

Pathogenic organisms are natural harmful inhabitants of the human body that cause disease with a sharp decrease in immune defenses in general.

The insidiousness of herpes virions, that is, particles that do not show biological activity until the onset of favorable conditions, lies in the fact that they can successfully “fix themselves”, settling for further spread on clothes, vegetables, fruits, on handrails in public transport and household items life.

So we smoothly moved on to the next logical partition.

With the help of household items

The reason for infection through household items is simple – this is an elementary non-compliance at home with the simplest sanitary norms and rules, which are as follows:

Provide each family member with personal items such as a toothbrush, shaving brush, razor, beauty kits and skin care tools.
Allocate additional personal items to the patient during the illness, do not allow healthy household members, especially children, to use them. Disinfect dishes and cutlery intended for use by patients as often as possible.
During the period of growing up and teething, the child often pulls into his mouth almost all objects that fall under his arm. Strictly monitor their sterility, do not allow strangers to take them in hand, and even more so to show the child how to use this or that object (lick, bite, chew).
Ventilate and wet-clean the apartment more often using disinfectants.
For the period of the active phase of the disease, limit or completely isolate the patient from healthy family members.

Video from the expert:

Transmission from mother to child

Unfortunately, as a result of everyday constant and close contact between mother and child, “punctures” are inevitable, resulting in infection of the child with the herpes virus. Moreover, the likelihood of the disease does not decrease with the age of the baby.

The statistics are relentless when they say that the infection of a child through contact with the mother occurs in early childhood.

These most pathogenic microorganisms, which we talked about above, penetrate the baby during childbirth, that is, when he is in direct contact with the maternal genital tract.

It is possible that with a favorable outcome, infection of the newborn will not occur. But still, in the course of the subsequent development of the child, this is unlikely to be avoided in the future.

If a mother has been ill before conceiving a child, then her further fears will be groundless, for the simple reason that maternal immunity will protect your child for several months.

It is extremely dangerous to infect a future woman in labor in the last weeks before childbirth. In this case, the child will not develop the immunity of the mother, and with an absolute degree of probability it can be argued that the child will fall ill in the first months after birth.

Events can develop even more dramatically if suddenly the mother becomes infected with herpes in the first three months after conception. Then there is the threat of miscarriage or premature birth.

Video from the expert:

Is the patient contagious if there are no rashes on his lips yet?

The assertion that a patient is not contagious if he does not have characteristic visual signs on his lips is at least frivolous, and in the worst case, even dangerous.

And to a greater extent, old women who are not medically educated will be right, who knowingly assert that the child “sprinkled from the inside”.

Do not be under the illusion that the disease on the lips is contagious only if there are external signs – rashes.

We talked about the insidiousness of this virus. So, for a long time it can be in the body in a hidden state and not give itself away. Therefore, herpes virions are very dangerous, because they are able to find a place for themselves and adapt to any location in the human body.

It is not uncommon for these pathogenic “neighbors” to be found in saliva, tears and vaginal discharge.

And from these hiding places, when favorable conditions arise and as a result of close contact, they will most decisively show their aggressive disposition.

In this case, readers have a legitimate question: at what period does herpes cease to be contagious and how many days do you have to wait for a safe period?

The answer will be clear and concise: as a rule, the healing process takes an average of two weeks. However, when dry, relatively painless scales appear on the lips, it can be said that the active phase of the disease, which poses a threat of infection to others, has already passed.

The main causes of herpes on the lips

There are several of them. Let’s summarize and highlight the main ones:

deep hypothermia of the body, colds, as well as tonsillitis and flu;
prolonged stay in a cold and poorly ventilated room is dangerous if the patient’s work is associated with just such working conditions;
high emotional stress and stress;
poisoning of the body in various forms;
exhaustion of the body by uncontrolled diets and low-calorie foods;
bad habits: smoking, alcohol, excessive coffee consumption;
overwork of the body by extreme physical exertion;
and the main reason, it is directly related to all the previous ones, is the weakening of the immune system, both seasonal and pathological.

When are Herpes Not Contagious: How Long Are Cold Sores Contagious?

Understanding Cold Sores and Herpes Contagion

How HSV-1 Spreads

Factors that Reactivate HSV-1

Prevalence of HSV-1

Early Signs of Herpes Infection

Managing Cold Sore Outbreaks

Prevention Strategies

When Does a Cold Sore Stop Being Contagious? Tips for Prevention

How we reviewed this article:

Read this next

When Does a Cold Sore Stop Being Contagious? Tips for Prevention

How we reviewed this article:

Read this next

Herpes infection: myths and prevention

how many days a person is contagious to others

The process of infection from the point of view of biology

Ways of transmission of herpes simplex

Contact mode

Airborne droplets

With the help of household items

Transmission from mother to child

Is the patient contagious if there are no rashes on his lips yet?

The main causes of herpes on the lips

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