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Doctor insights on: Are Cold Sores Contagious When Scabbed

Still contagious: Even it has scabbed over, the herpes virus can always be contagious, although it is most contagious immediately before an active outbreak of blisters. Less contagious if it is scabbed comparing to blisters.

Yes, very: Cold sores, are caused by the herpes virus, and appear initially as small clear bubbles on the lip, roof of the mouth, or the gum near the teeth. These vesicles rupture and leave small, painful ulcers. These are very catagious and you can spread them to other parts of your body. So don't touch the sore with your finger! Use a cotton-tipped swab to touch it, if you must, and throw it away!

Yes: The herpes simplex virus is transmissible.

Herpes: Asymptomatic shedding is very real and one of the biggest reasons why it's possible for people with herpes to pass herpes virus on to a sexual partner without having any signs or symptoms. That's pretty much what asymptomatic means: you can't see or feel that the virus is present and active on the surface of the skin. Thus, the person with herpes is always contagious.

Not once the: Skin has fully healed. But they are contagious in all forms of the active lesion.

No: They are most contagious when a scab cracks open and fluid oozes out. But, it is contagious through all phases. It is not contagious once the skin has healed.

You can't: Keep them moist with a lip balm/lubricant that is only for your personal use. If using your fingers to apply be sure to wash thoroughly and avoid finger/eye contact.

Unlikely: You probably got it from yourself, not your boyfriend. Most adults are already infected with hsv-1, which is typically acquired in childhood. But if this is truly your very first cold sore, then maybe you did get it from him.

NO, unfortunately: They are contagious through all phases until the skin has healed. They are most contagious with an open & oozing sore.

Cold Sores: Can be contagious. It is possible to transmit from one person to another. But - most people have been exposed to the virus by your age.

Yes: Cold sores are cause by the HSV-1 virus, and can be passed on via kissing, etc. Things like stress, illness, lack of sleep, or anything that lowers your immune system can cause a flare, which is not a new infection, but the old infection resurfacing. We are never truly free of the virus once we get it, but you are in good company, since most adults do test + for HSV-1 antibodies!

Near the end..: If you have cold sores that have crusted over...Then they are on their way out. The cycle is generally about 14 days. Hang in there and don't pick at em or put anything on them.

As long as sore is: ...Visible. Cold sores are contagious at all stages from the tingling stage to the weeping stage to the scabbing and healing stage. They are most contagious at the weeping stage when fluid comes out. Valtrex (valacyclovir) may shorten the duration of infection, but if the sores are still healing they are contagious.

NO, they are: Contagious as long as there is a lesion. They are most contagious when split open & oozing. They are not contagious once the skin has fully healed.

Oral herpes: I am not aware of any research about lysine and cold sores. Cold sores are caused by a virus called herpes virus. Contact with the active cold sores will transmit the herpes virus to your partner. But when crusts form on cold sores, they stop being contagious.

Herpes: People with herpes are contagious at varying and unpredictable rates whether they have sores or not. I am sorry.

Herpes: Yes. Of course you are. But, unfortunately there is no test that can tell us where and when you are shedding virus and are contagious. We now know that having an outbreak or not is, in no way, predictive of contagion.

Yes they are contagi: Cold sores are caused by Type 1 Herpes Simplex Virus and are contagtios. Avoid kissing as long as there are active sores

There is some: Possibility of spreading a cold sore even when there is not an active lesions.

Herpes simplex: Anyone who has had "cold sores", assuming that these were herpetic lesions, may be shedding virus even in the absence of open lesions. This is not, of course, a guarantee that you are spreading it, but a high probability that your intimate partner has become infected. Worldwide, the rate of HSV infection is around 90%.