Cold sores vs herpes

[spookie]

Hsv-1 and Hsv-2 are very similar viruses that are both transmitted through contact, can infect the mouth and genitals, and have no cure.

 

Hsv-1 is associated with cold sores, which something like 50% of Americans experience by the time they are 10.

 

Hsv-2 is "herpes", something many consider a serious std.

 

If you have had cold sores, do you feel obliged to let your partner know that you are infected? Why or why not?

 

Is Hsv-1 a derebreaker for you? How about Hsv-2? If so, are you expecting to be forewarned? How do you know you're not infected (neither virus is tested for in a regular sti screening)?

[mostlyclueless]

Hsv-1 and Hsv-2 are very similar viruses that are both transmitted through contact, can infect the mouth and genitals, and have no cure.

 

Hsv-1 is associated with cold sores, which something like 50% of Americans experience by the time they are 10.

 

Hsv-2 is "herpes", something many consider a serious std.

 

If you have had cold sores, do you feel obliged to let your partner know that you are infected? Why or why not?

 

Is Hsv-1 a derebreaker for you? How about Hsv-2? If so, are you expecting to be forewarned? How do you know you're not infected (neither virus is tested for in a regular sti screening)?

 

Good questions...keep in mind that about 20% of people have HSV-2, and the vast majority of people who are infected don't know it.

 

I don't think either one would necessarily be a dealbreaker if I really cared about the person. For a casual hookup, though, it would.

[Dust]

Personaly I could care less about herpes its the stigma I'm worried about. Damn stupid people.

 

I don't want any herpes and hypotheticaly I wouldn't want to date some one who had it but probably would if I liked them.

 

As far as HS1 or what ever its called cold sores... there doesn't seem to be a stigma ascociated with them. As far as I know I don't get them so I guess I don't have it... would I date a girl who gets them yes... I just wouldn't want to kiss her durring an outbreak.

 

If I did have a cold sore I wouldn't kiss some one while having it but I wouldn't be like "hey just to let you know before things get deeper between us every so often I get a cold sore." And like said I don't expect the big cold sore reveal like I would from a person with herpes... even though like you said they can infect mouth and private too.

 

What has you thinking about all this? You get cold sores... or are you scared of them.. or maybe you get them and you're scared.

 

I should invent some folk forever cure for cold sores and sell it on the internet for 19.99 a pop for a 5 month supply

[Mme. Chaucer]

Is the "cold sore" troll going to emerge sometime soon?

[spookie]

Is the "cold sore" troll going to emerge sometime soon?

 

To call me a cold sore covered whore? I hope so.

[spookie]

Dust, to answer your question, yes, I do get them on occasion (and have them all over my mouth ATM which is really gross) and I'm wondering what the best way is to handle telling the guy I am dating. I have been avoiding hanging out but I would feel guilty saying nothing because they are contagious, and I might have infected him before I realized I was having an outbreak.

 

I've gotten them since I was a kid.

[Dust]

Dust, to answer your question, yes, I do get them on occasion (and have them all over my mouth ATM which is really gross) and I'm wondering what the best way is to handle telling the guy I am dating. I have been avoiding hanging out but I would feel guilty saying nothing because they are contagious, and I might have infected him before I realized I was having an outbreak.

 

I've gotten them since I was a kid.

 

I wouldn't want to catch them but I'd still date you and treat you as normal as an ass like me can treat a person while having an outbreak.

[PinkInTheLimo]

The cold sore virus is one which kids get from their mom. If the mom carries the virus there will most certainly come a point where she transmits it to her kids.

I never miss to have cold sores 1) when I fall ill and 2) when I go in the sun without using sunblock on my lips. So I probably have them 2 or 3 times a year. With the right medication they are gone in 10 days.

I don't feel like they are a major medical issue I have to tell a new partner about but I will not kiss him when I have an outbreak.

 

The herpes labialis as desribed above is totally harmless compared to genital herpes. I would not want to be with someone who has this as it shows for me that someone has engaged in unprotected sex. Before I want to have sex with a new partner, I want him to undergo a battery of tests on STDs, something I will also do myself.

[Dust]

You get herpes even with protected sex.

 

Would it be cool to put a bag over a girls head while having sex if she has a cold sore?

[kiss_andmakeup]

I wouldn't want to catch them but I'd still date you and treat you as normal as an ass like me can treat a person while having an outbreak.

 

 

I don't think it's anything to be too worried about, Spookie. How long have you been seeing the guy? I've never gotten cold sores but I have a lot of friends who've gotten them since they were kids. It doesn't have a sexual connotation...tons of kids pick them up in pre-school and kindergarten from putting their mouths on things they shouldn't.

 

To answer the question in your OP, HSV-1 would definitely not be a dealbreaker. HSV-2 could be, but if I really liked the guy I'd continue to date him and just be extremely cautious and safe with sex.

[Mme. Chaucer]

You get herpes even with protected sex.

 

Would it be cool to put a bag over a girls head while having sex if she has a cold sore?

 

Not a plastic bag ...

[thatone]

Not a plastic bag ...

 

lol

 

the cold sore variety doesn't bother me. i have dated women with that, yes. afaik i don't have it. only time i've ever had a lingering sore around my mouth was after cutting myself shaving.

[RachR]

I get cold sores from HSV 1 (got it as a kid after I would let friends use my jar of lip balm), and I've never spread them to anyone else - and when I get one, that's when I bring it up. No one has really cared, we just don't kiss or share drinks, etc, when I have one - I am very careful with it.

 

Also, try Abreva - it really works! I haven't had a cold sore in over a year because if I feel one coming on, I dab that on and it never develops. If I don't get it in time and one does develop, it goes away quickly. It's like 20 bucks at walgreens or cvs, I just keep it in my purse with my lipbalms. (I usually get a coldsores once or twice a year, or during times I'm very stressed).

Edited April 4, 2012 by RachR

[luvkitties]

HSV 1 and 2 are the same virus; 1's "home" is on the oral lips, 2's home is the genitals, however, there has been an increase in genital herpes due to oral sex performed by a person with active HSV infection. And, one can't always tell when the virus is active, as it can be active for a few days before a sore manifests. This is called the prodromal period. I have read that 80% of people are infected with HSV, so those are some pretty good odds of having been exposed at some point.

[Professor X]

Hsv-1 and Hsv-2 are very similar viruses that are both transmitted through contact, can infect the mouth and genitals, and have no cure.

First, you should know that there are anti-viral treatments for hsv (both), it doesn't cure you, but it does help reduce the chance of an outbreak as well as reducing the chance you'll transmit it to anyone.

Also, there's Zovirax, you can try it.

Hsv-1 is associated with cold sores, which something like 50% of Americans experience by the time they are 10.

 

Hsv-2 is "herpes", something many consider a serious std.

 

If you have had cold sores, do you feel obliged to let your partner know that you are infected? Why or why not?

Yes, of course you are obligated to tell him, and not only for the moral point behind it, i.e. infecting it, but also, you should be open enough to let him know of it.

Anyway, I think it'd be easier for two not to kiss if he knew why you can't.

Is Hsv-1 a derebreaker for you? How about Hsv-2? If so, are you expecting to be forewarned?

Not a deal breaker, either one, it's not as a big deal as say... HIV, however, I do expect them to forewarn me, for obvious reasons.

How do you know you're not infected (neither virus is tested for in a regular sti screening)?

You go to your local clinic that does blood exams and ask to be tested for Herpes type 1 and 2 (alternatively, you go through your doctor).

Results should arrive within a few days.

 

P.S. Eat well, outbreaks usually are caused due to weaken immune system.

Edited April 4, 2012 by Professor X

[spookie]

First, you should know that there are anti-viral treatments for hsv (both), it doesn't cure you, but it does help reduce the chance of an outbreak as well as reducing the chance you'll transmit it to anyone.

Also, there's Zovirax, you can try it.

 

Yes, of course you are obligated to tell him, and not only for the moral point behind it, i.e. infecting it, but also, you should be open enough to let him know of it.

Anyway, I think it'd be easier for two not to kiss if he knew why you can't.

 

Not a deal breaker, either one, it's not as a big deal as say... HIV, however, I do expect them to forewarn me, for obvious reasons.

 

You go to your local clinic that does blood exams and ask to be tested for Herpes type 1 and 2 (alternatively, you go through your doctor).

Results should arrive within a few days.

 

P.S. Eat well, outbreaks usually are caused due to weaken immune system.

 

Yah I am pretty sure his outbreak came on as a result of my working an 80 hr week.

[dasein]

I get them sometimes, but I think it's due to sharing crack pipes in the past, not some nasty, filthy STD. Gross.

[MrNate 2.0]

Hsv-1 and Hsv-2 are very similar viruses that are both transmitted through contact, can infect the mouth and genitals, and have no cure.

 

Hsv-1 is associated with cold sores, which something like 50% of Americans experience by the time they are 10.

 

Hsv-2 is "herpes", something many consider a serious std.

 

If you have had cold sores, do you feel obliged to let your partner know that you are infected? Why or why not?

 

Is Hsv-1 a derebreaker for you? How about Hsv-2? If so, are you expecting to be forewarned? How do you know you're not infected (neither virus is tested for in a regular sti screening)?

 

These would probably be a deal breaker for me, namely because my body had been through enough abuse already.

 

I would hope when anyone is infected with something, they would have the courtesy to let anyone they're involved with know. Such as the above, aids, or whatever.

 

If it's something contagious, I think it's only right you tell them. Just think about if the shoe was on the other foot. I know I'd be pissed if I picked up something that no one told me about beforehand.

[Dust]

Not a plastic bag ...

 

These would probably be a deal breaker for me, namely because my body had been through enough abuse already.

 

I would hope when anyone is infected with something, they would have the courtesy to let anyone they're involved with know. Such as the above, aids, or whatever.

 

If it's something contagious, I think it's only right you tell them. Just think about if the shoe was on the other foot. I know I'd be pissed if I picked up something that no one told me about beforehand.

 

Theres a chance you already have it.

 

I remember some one made a thread once about dumping the love of their life because of cold sores. The guy was like 22 or something. I couldn't stop laughing.

[MrNate 2.0]

Theres a chance you already have it.

 

I remember some one made a thread once about dumping the love of their life because of cold sores. The guy was like 22 or something. I couldn't stop laughing.

 

If I have something that's fine. What I do know I don't have is cold sores. And I don't want those bad boys.

 

Now dumping the love of his life?? Yeah..that's a bit much haha.

[Star Gazer]

Spook, my oldest friend used to get pretty huge cold sores fairly frequently. She started taking a generic version of Valtrex and she says she hasn't gotten one in a long time.

 

I still won't let her use my lipgloss though.

[spookie]

I have ears valtrex is very effective, but I don't think I'd want to take a pill for something that, besides brin ugly, is usually harmless.

 

I think it's kind of funny that there is such a stigma with hsv2, when so many people are infected with hsv1, which is potentially more dangerous, and probably more annoying.

[pteromom]

FYI for those who have cold sores.

 

Get a prescription for Valtrex. If you take one as soon as you feel that "tingly" feeling, the cold sore never pops up. It's magical stuff!

[Buck Turgidson]

I think it's kind of funny that there is such a stigma with hsv2, when so many people are infected with hsv1, which is potentially more dangerous, and probably more annoying.

 

I don't think it's funny; I think it's depressing how misled people allow themselves to be--- by advertising. There was no stigma at all around herpes before 1975. It wasn't even considered an STD, since, after all, it can infect any part of the body and is transmitted by any touch, not just sex. It's only stigmatized now because the makers of the first treatment for it, Zovirax, discovered that there was no market for their product. So they spent millions on an advertising campaign stigmatizing herpes in order to scare people into buying their drug. All herpes stigma today is traceable to that advertising campaign.

[Cypress25]

Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus, but there's no stigma attached to oral herpes because it can spread without sexual contact. It's also extremely common (about 80% of the adult population has been exposed to it), so even if you think you don't have it, you probably do. You could still be infected with the virus even if you've never had a cold sore. For some people, it's asymptomatic.

 

I don't think it's necessary to tell your partner that you occasionally get cold sores. When you get a cold sore, it will be obvious. No announcement necessary. As long as you don't kiss your partner when you have a cold sore, you're unlikely to transmit the virus. And really, you wouldn't want to do that anyway; I imagine kissing with a cold sore would be very painful.

 

I've been getting cold sores since I was a kid, and every guy I've dated has seen me with a cold sore at least once. No, it's not pretty, but they didn't care. They weren't like "OMG, you didn't tell me you had herpes! How could you keep this from me?! I'm probably infected now!" You know why they didn't react that way? Because they knew I couldn't have infected them, since I never touched them during an outbreak. They also knew there was a good chance that they'd already been exposed to the virus in childhood.

 

Warning your partner if you have genital herpes makes sense because then your partner knows to always use a condom when you have sex. Warning your partner if you have oral herpes is kind of pointless, because what is he going to do about it? Never kiss you, even when you don't have any cold sores? That's stupid, it's perfectly safe to kiss unless you're having an outbreak. Both types of herpes are equally contagious during an outbreak, but there's a higher risk with genital herpes at all times.

 

If you do tell him about your cold sores, I think his reaction will probably be along the lines of "Yeah, so?" or "Yeah, I get them too." It just seems like a silly thing to confess to someone. It's like warning him that you occasionally get a cold. When you have a cold sore, he'll know it just by looking at your face; there's no hiding it then.

 

As far as treatment, I use Abreva as soon as I feel a cold sore coming on, and it works really well. I also take a Lysine supplement, which helps prevent outbreaks. You also have to know your triggers. For me, being stressed, sleep deprived, or sick (or all of the above) is likely to trigger a cold sore. Many women get cold sores during their period, as hormonal fluctuations can cause an outbreak. In fact, the first birth control pill I tried caused severe outbreaks (usually I only get one cold sore at a time, but when I was on that pill, I got multiple cold sores simultaneously). I switched to a different BC pill immediately, and never had that problem again.

 

I have a question for people who have suggested Valtrex though. Doesn't that stuff expire pretty quick? I only get a cold sore once every 7 or 8 months, so I imagine a supply of Valtrex would expire before I ever had the chance to use it. How long is the shelf life of that medication?