Fever blisters how long contagious

Sores remain highly contagious until the skin completely heals. This can take up to 15 days. Trying home remedies can help relieve the symptoms. If these are not effective, medical treatments can reduce pain and speed up healing.

Herpes can cause painful blisters and sores to the mouth and genitals. Learn about treatments and when to get tested here. Valacyclovir is a medication that can help to treat infections caused by the herpes virus. Read on for more. Herpes is a condition caused by the herpes simplex virus. People may notice herpes symptoms across the body, including in the mouth, on the genitals…. Cold sores are common, and they can sometimes appear under the nose. Learn about the symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention of cold sores under….

How long are cold sores contagious for? Medically reviewed by Owen Kramer, M. Transmission Triggers Treatment Prevention Outlook Summary Cold sores are fluid filled blisters that appear on the lips and around the mouth.

Share on Pinterest Cold sores may be contagious for up to 15 days. Cold sore triggers. Signs of a new outbreak. Prevention tips. Share on Pinterest A doctor may prescribe medication to treat an outbreak of cold sores. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Brand Logo. All rights reserved. Terms Of Use. Privacy Policy. About Our Ads. Children's Privacy Policy. Sign up now. Search Box Clear. Want more tips and offers sent directly to your inbox? Products Categories Goals Brands.

Our Commitment Our Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program brings oral health education to more than half a billion children around the world.

Learn more about our commitment to oral health education. Top Articles. Why Are Cold Sores Contagious? How to Stop Cold Sores From Spreading By practicing good hygiene and avoiding close contact, you can prevent your cold sore from infecting those you love. Sharing lip balms, lipsticks or other items that have come into contact with the saliva of someone who has a cold sore.

Oral sex with someone who has an outbreak of genital herpes. Touching your cold sore and then touching broken skin, eyes or genitals. Can Cold Sores Be Serious? However, cold sores can be serious when they affect: vii Your eyes — If the infection reaches the inner layers of your cornea — the transparent layer at the front of your eye — and remains untreated, it can be sight-threatening.

People with weakened immunity — As with babies, the infection may spread to vital organs. People at risk include those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer or anyone with a condition affecting their immunity such as diabetes or HIV.

Follow a few simple steps to help stop cold sores from spreading. Wash Your Hands You should do this after touching your cold sore and before touching your eyes, contact lenses, genitals or any area of broken skin. Avoid Oral Sex Abstain from engaging in oral sex when you have symptoms of a cold sore, as you can pass on the HSV-1 virus, giving your partner an infection in their genital area.

Change Your Toothbrush The virus can lurk in the bristles of your toothbrush so treat yourself to a new one after the blister has formed and again after the attack has cleared up. Avoid Your Triggers Fewer outbreaks mean a lower risk of spreading the infection. Common triggers include: viii UV light from the sun or sunbeds Emotional stress Fever and common colds An injury to the affected area Hormonal changes such as during your period. This site is intended for US residents only.

All rights reserved. Follow us:. But you can spread the virus even if you don't have blisters. Many people who are infected with the virus that causes cold sores never develop signs and symptoms. Once you've had an episode of herpes infection, the virus lies dormant in nerve cells in your skin and may emerge as another cold sore at the same place as before.

Recurrence may be triggered by:. Cold sores on the lips can be embarrassing and tough to hide. But, turns out, you might not have a reason to be embarrassed.

Now, a very small percentage of those people will actually develop cold sores. Pritish Tosh, an infectious diseases specialist at Mayo Clinic, says, genetics determines whether a person will develop cold sores. The problem is people can spread the herpes virus whether they develop cold sores or not. Herpes virus spreads through physical contact like kissing, sharing a toothbrush — even sharing a drinking glass — or through sexual contact.

Almost everyone is at risk of cold sores. Most adults carry the virus that causes cold sores, even if they've never had symptoms. You're most at risk of complications from the virus if you have a weakened immune system from conditions and treatments such as:. In some people, the virus that causes cold sores can cause problems in other areas of the body, including:.

Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication for you to take on a regular basis if you develop cold sores more than nine times a year or if you're at high risk of serious complications.

If sunlight seems to trigger your recurrences, apply sunblock to the spot where the cold sore tends to erupt.

Or talk with your doctor about using an oral antiviral drug as a preventive if you expect to be doing an activity that tends to trigger your condition, such as intense sunlight exposure.

To help avoid spreading cold sores to other people or to other parts of your body, you might try some of the following precautions:.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.