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Cold Sores and Genital Herpes Transmission

Cold sores occur in the mouth and around the lips. When the fever blister emerges from the skin, it is usually green or reddish. They are small, usually no more than one centimeter across, and red, tender and painful. Cold sores usually last anywhere from a couple of days to two weeks, but can persist for weeks or even months at a time. While they are usually painless, they can be very painful when exposed to the sun. They are also contagious, so anyone who comes into contact with an open sore has the possibility of contracting herpes simplex virus ( HSV).

Herpes simplex virus ( HSV) is one of the most commonly known causes of cold sores in young adults (usually around age 25). The virus is usually carried by the mother at birth, passes through the placenta during childbirth and remains in the semen for the rest of life. Most individuals get cold sores some time between ages fifteen and 50. However, as you get older the chances of getting infected increase dramatically. Unfortunately, most people carry herpes simplex virus, but few ever experience any complications or symptoms.

If you are wondering about cold sores transmission, chances are that you already have some form of genital herpes infection. In fact, genital herpes is the most commonly reported cause of cold sores. If you are not sure, it is important to note that genital herpes is incurable. That means that once you have experienced the infection you cannot cure it. If you do have genital herpes, however, outbreaks can be much less frequent, and the discomfort can be somewhat reduced.

Although outbreaks can occur anywhere on the body, they are most common on the lips, mouth and anus. Cold sores are generally painful and may bleed. However, bleeding from herpes simplex virus is usually not accompanied by the same symptoms as the actual rash. These include fever, muscle pain and swelling in the affected area and a general sense of malaise. In rare cases, men can also develop genital herpes rashes during an outbreak, though this is extremely rare.

The transmission of herpes via these rashes is usually not immediately obvious to those who are uninformed about herpes, so it can go undetected for weeks or even months. Many people who have herpes, especially young adults, often carry the herpes simplex virus in the cervix, vagina or penis. Unfortunately, these body areas are also the optimal places for transmission of the herpes simplex virus, so women can develop genital herpes infections in these same areas. This makes them particularly vulnerable to developing cold sores and rashes.

In addition to causing painful blisters and lesions, herpes can also result in serious emotional problems in the long term. While the herpes virus is highly contagious, there is no active outbreak if the person is not infected. The herpes virus can remain dormant in the body for up to six months before symptoms start to occur. This means that the herpes virus can remain dormant in the body without causing any pain or discomfort for the infected person. In this way, herpes can be passed from one person to another, causing outbreaks on the infected person even after the initial herptic infection has disappeared from the body.