A 42-year-old member asked:
Does it happen that people get rid of the herpes virus that makes cold sores ?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. John Scubaanswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 27 years experience
Herpes: Herpes lives in a sensory nerve cell cluster in the area the nerve supplies. Primary infection occurs in young and persists for life in 15 to 50 percent. It "sleeps" there and may recur at any time--stress, trauma, immune system compromise. If herpes, it typically recurs in one single area--especially lips and may be aborted with early antivirals. But not all "cold sores" are herpes.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Related questions
A 36-year-old member asked:
When having intercourse with a high risk sexual partner, how to prevent herpes simplex virus type 2?
Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Unless the: Person is taking medication to suppress it - you are at risk because the virus can shed even when there are no active lesions. A condom only provides ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
View all answers
A 17-year-old female asked:
How long do the germs of the herpes virus live on surfaces and objects? I get cold sores and am just curious.
Dr. J. Lawrence Dohananswered
Dermatology 59 years experience
Hours to weeks: Longer if a dry surface. You are contagious when you have a sore on your face. But you are also contagious a few days a month when you have no symptom... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Herpes confuses me. If a couple hasn't been exposed to herpes simplex virus like mostly everyone, then that means they won't ever get cold sores ?
Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Yes: 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 y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
259 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
If you already have herpes simplex 1 (cold sores) .. what is the likelihood that you would get the same virus in the genital area? or is your body already protecting itself?
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 35 years experience
Very unlikely. Yes.: If a person's first HSV-1 infection was on her lips, and she developed (and continues to have) a good level of protective antibodies to HSV-1, then sh... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
42 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
I have herpes simplex virus (cold sores) since I was very little. Every time I give my kids a kiss on the cheek (I never kiss on the month) I usually get a cold sore half the time. No warning. How likely is it to get a cold sore on your cheek?
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 35 years experience
Unlikely, but nobody knows exactly. There is always a risk of catching or giving germs, viral or otherwise, when touching or being very near another p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Dec 25, 2022
Last updated Jan 9, 2018
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