Are Cold Sores Contagious?

The mere fact that so many people in winter suffer from cold sores and fever blisters, makes one think that we catch them just like we catch a cold from other people and germs floating around.

But are cold sores really contagious, or is it just a coincidence that so many people get them at the same time of year, under similar conditions?

The answer is yes and no.

Let me explain. The cold sores at different stages of development have a different degree of being able to be passed on with direct contact.

The cold sores themselves, usually occur when the herpes Simplex virus HPV-1 starts to multiply in your skin. This causes the red blotches and fluid filled little fever blisters to form around your mouth, lips or nose.

As the virus lies dormant in most of us since childhood, it just needs the right conditions to wake up and start multiplying.

As it happens these conditions occur at the same time for a large number of people, so the cold sore phenomenon happens simultaneously  to a lot of people as they live under the same conditions. Every experiences winter at the same time in the same region. So every ones body has to cope with similar stress and exposure to the elements simultaneously, causing the outbreak of the virus into cold sores at the same time.

But is it contagious as well. Yes, when the sores are moist or liquid filled blisters, any contact with the sores will be enough to infect you. If your antibodies are not sufficiently strong, you will then get cold sores as well.

So being very conscious of sharing utensils, lipstick, or direct contact with infected people should be avoided. The virus being transmitted to you, may just be enough to start a chain reaction and infection with you.

When the cold sores have healed and a scab has formed, they are no longer contagious. The worst part is the liquid if a blister is popped, that is the most dangerous form of contact.

As always, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. So always be aware of the possibility of infected objects being around you in the event of persons with cold sores being in our vicinity.

In other words, treat cold sores as contagious, even though they can occur without a new infection.