You've probably heard lots of things about cold sores, like how it's the "kissing disease" or how it can only occur on your mouth. Some of it is true. Some of it not so much. So what's the real story? Here are some myths and facts about cold sores to help set the record straight.
Myths:
- If I don't have symptoms, then I don't have cold sores. Not true. The only way to tell is to get checked out by your doctor.
- Symptoms are the same for everyone. Again, not true. Some people have very large blisters that will open, while others might have a very small red bump.
- Cold sores occur only on the mouth. Although they commonly appear on your lips, this is still not true. The sores can also show up in other places, like your nostrils—and on rare occasions they can appear on the chin or fingers.
Facts:
- Cold sores are contagious. Yes, this is a fact. So it's important to be careful not to make direct contact with other people's mouths or genitalia during an outbreak. While ZOVIRAX Cream may lessen the duration of pain and shorten the length of your recurrent cold sore outbreak, it doesn’t prevent the transmission of HSV infections.
- Cold sores are different from canker sores. A canker sore is found inside the mouth and is not caused by a viral infection.
- The number of outbreaks tends to decrease over a period of years. Even though the infection may stay in the body, the number of cold sore outbreaks often gets less frequent as the years go by.
- Having a cold sore on your mouth means you should not be having oral sex. And the same goes for your partner.
- There is no cure for HSV-1. But keep in mind there are antiviral creams as well as pills that can treat the symptoms.