Can I get genital herpes is someone with a cold sore performs oral sex on me?

Cold sores are also commonly known as fever blisters, oral herpes or herpes labialis. They are lesions that occur on the mouth, lip and facial area and are caused by the Herpes simplex virus. Are cold sores really Herpes?

How common are cold sores? Where do cold sores usually appear? How do you get cold sores?

What causes or "activates" a cold sore recurrence? What are some of the symptoms of a cold sore? Are cold sores contagious?

How is the cold sore virus spread? Can Cold Sores be spread to other body areas? When are cold sores most contagious?

What is the best cold sore treatment? What can I do to prevent cold sores? Are cold sores really "herpes"?

Cold sores are caused by a type of the herpes virus, but, it is rarely the same virus strand that causes genital herpes. Cold sores are typically caused by Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1). Genital herpes on the other hand is usually caused by a different strand of the virus called Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2).

It is possible to transfer the different viruses to other areas of the body. HSV1 (or cold sores) can be transferred to the genitals through oral sex. In the same way, HSV2 (or genital herpes) can be transferred to the mouth.

How common are cold sores? Cold sores are very common. It is estimated that 80% percent of the American population have been exposed to the Herpes simplex virus (which is the virus that causes cold sores).

An interesting fact is that although a person has been infected with the herpes and cold sore virus, they may not necessarily experience an outbreak. This is because some people's immune systems have the ability to completely suppress the virus. Where do cold sores usually appear?

Cold sores are usually confined to the mouth area (particularly on and around the lip). Less commonly, cold sores can occur on other facial areas such as above the mouth, the nose, nostrils, cheek or chin. Cold sores can also appear on the fingers, this is referred to as Herpes Whitlow.

Cold sores do not usually occur inside the mouth, however if they do, it is most likely on the gums or hard palette (roof of the mouth). If the lesion appears inside the mouth, especially on the soft tissue, it is most likely to be a canker sore, not a cold sore. When cold sores reoccur they will typically appear in the same location that they did during previous outbreaks.

Cold sores or fever blisters are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are usually relatively easy to identify. To view pictures of the herpes virus (including cold sores and mouth herpes) visit our Herpes Pictures page. There is another condition which can cause ulcers inside the mouth known as Canker sores.

Canker sores are not a form of herpes, however, they are often confused and mistaken for cold sores. Canker sores are ulcerations, especially of the lip or oral mucosa and can be caused by acute stress, trauma to the area in your mouth, allergies, or by a reaction to a particular bacteria. Canker sores are not considered to be contagious.

Cold sores and mouth herpes on the other hand are caused by the herpes simplex virus and can be very contagious. More information about Canker Sores and how they typically appear. If you are experiencing ulcerations on or inside of your mouth please visit your health care provider for a professional diagnosis.

These two conditions can appear very similar and should not be self-diagnosed. How do you get cold sores? Cold sores are generally contracted from skin to skin contact with an infected area.

For example, if someone has a cold sore on their lip they can pass on the virus to another person's mouth through kissing. The usual incubation period of the virus (time before any symptoms show) is approximately two to twelve days after the first exposure to the virus. As most people contract cold sores before the age of seven, it is common for a person not to remember their first or 'primary' cold sore outbreak.

Once infected with cold sores, the virus remains inside the body in a latent (sleeping) state. Throughout a person's life the virus can then become "activated" causing a cold sore recurrence. What causes or "activates" a cold sore recurrence?

There are many factors that can influence or "trigger" a cold sore outbreak, however, it seems to be related to times when the immune system is lowered or run down. Steroid medication (e.g. Anything that lowers your immune system or causes local injury can trigger recurrences. What are some of the symptoms of a cold sore?

Before a cold sore appears the area will sometimes tingle, feel slightly raised and may appear red and inflamed. This pain or tingling sensation is called the prodrome (or warning symptom) and typically occurs 1 to 2 days before the cold sore appears. A cold sore generally appears as a small, fluid-filled blister which goes through a cycle of phases.

The blister will usually weep (ulcerate) and form a scab or 'crusting' before healing and disappearing completely. Stages of a typical cold sore outbreak. The duration of a cold sore outbreak may last from 8 to 12 days.

Are cold sores contagious? Cold sores are caused by the Herpes simplex virus and, if the virus particles are transferred to another person they too can become infected. Cold sores are typically spread by direct skin-to-skin contact with the virus.

Kissing or rubbing against the infected area are common examples of how the virus particles can be transferred. See below for more information. How is the cold sore virus spread?

If a person has an active cold sore on their lip the herpes virus particles can be transferred to any part of the body that is kissed, including the mouth, face or the genitals. Keeping this in mind, it is very important to avoid kissing and oral sex during an active bout of cold sores. It should also be made aware that the virus is considered to be contagious from the very first sign of an outbreak (including the tingling, itching stage) until the area is completely healed again.

The cold sore virus can also spread at times when there are no visible symptoms due to what is known as Herpes Viral Shedding. It is important to take precautions during an active cold sore outbreak to prevent the virus from spreading. Herpes and cold sores are most easily spread when a sore is present, but, the virus can also be spread at other times too.

Some people notice itching, tingling or other sensations before they see anything on their skin. These are called "Prodromal Symptoms" and they warn that the virus may be present on the skin. Herpes is most likely to be spread from the time these first symptoms are noticed until the area is completely healed and the skin looks normal again.

Contact with the infected area (including oral sex, kissing and touch) is very risky during this time. It is also possible to transmit virus particles to another person through intermediate objects such as a drinking glass, eating utensil, lip stick, lip gloss, toothbrush, or even a face cloth. Can cold sores be spread to other body areas?

One kind of complication involves spreading the virus particles from the location of an outbreak to other places on the body by touching the infection. The fingers, eyes, and other body areas can accidentally become infected in this way.