A member asked:

My mother gets cold sores, and she still kisses my dad even when she has an outbreak. yet my dad never gets cold sores from this. why?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. Robert Killian answered

Specializes in General Practice

Having herpes: 90% of those infected with herpes have no outbreaks. That is in no way indicative that they are not contagious. Infected people shed virus at unpredictable rates. Having sores does not in any way indicate contagiousness. 75% of Americans have this virus. Herpes is much more complicated than you seem to understand.

Answered 5/25/2014

4k views

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Dr. Heidi Fowler answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Immune system: An estimated 80% of Americans have been exposed to Herpes Simplex Virus type 1. However, not all of those people will get cold sores. It depends on your immune system.

Answered 10/22/2018

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Related Questions

A member asked:

Is it ok to kiss if you are having a herpes or cold sore outbreak?

A doctor has provided 1 answer