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do cold sores mean you have an std

By: Karen Terry

January 5, 2022

Do Cold Sores Mean You Have an STD?

Cold sores, or oral herpes, are an extremely common symptom of a herpes simplex viral infection. Up to 80% of American adults are oral herpes carriers. By the time you turn 50, you have a 90% chance of contracting the herpes simplex virus.

People who have herpes simplex will retain the virus in their system for the rest of their lives, though they may never develop symptoms.

Can oral herpes be a sign of something more serious? Do cold sores mean you have an STD? Usually not, but a rapid STD test can help safeguard your sexual health.

What Are Cold Sores?

This might sound familiar: You wake up in the morning, look in the mirror, and notice a slightly swollen, tender, tingly spot on or near your lips. After a day or two, the afflicted area breaks out in a cluster of fluid-filled, tiny blisters. Once the blisters burst, the cold sore scabs over and may persist for another couple of weeks, during which time you must exercise all your willpower to avoid scratching it.

The common course of cold sores includes:

  • A topical itching, tingling, or burning feeling near or on the lips, and sometimes in other areas of the face. These early signs usually begin a day or so before a cold sore pops up.
  • Swollen, red, and tender blisters that eventually rupture and begin to ooze clear or yellowish fluid.
  • Crusting and scabbing that follows the rupturing of blisters. As the skin heals, it may bleed or crack.

Eventually, the scab will fall off. You may notice that the healed skin appears reddish or pink and feels slightly tender for a couple of days. A cold sore will usually heal completely in a week or two.

If this is your first-ever cold sore outbreak, you may experience more severe symptoms that include a fever, a headache, a sore throat, aching muscles, and swollen lymph nodes. Subsequent outbreaks are usually milder and won’t disrupt your daily routine as much.

Causes and Risks of Cold Sores

HSV-1, the strain that typically causes cold sores, is extremely easy to catch. The contagious period starts from the time you feel the initial telltale tingling and ends only when the scab falls off and the skin underneath it has healed completely.

People with an active herpes simplex outbreak can transmit the virus to others in many ways, including:

  • Close skin-to-skin contact like kissing
  • Oral sex
  • Sharing eating or drinking utensils, toothbrushes, or lipsticks
  • Sharing a cigarette or a vape
  • Touching the cold sore and then touching another person’s mouth, genitals, or broken skin

If the majority of the population carries herpes simplex, why do some people suffer from monthly cold sore outbreaks, while others may never experience symptoms? Genetic predisposition plays a major role in making some individuals more susceptible to cold sores, but certain environmental factors can also increase the risk of outbreaks. Some HSV carriers present no symptoms for years until they experience a triggering event like an illness or a hormonal upheaval.

Cold sores tend to appear during periods of stress or fatigue, before or during menstruation, or following excessive exposure to sunlight. Finally, they often rear their heads when your immune system is under strain, such as during a cold (hence the name cold sores). Common cold viruses don’t cause cold sores in themselves, but a cold may trigger a herpes simplex outbreak.

For most people, cold sores are a temporary nuisance. However, immunocompromised people – those who have a vulnerable immune system due to organ transplantation medications, HIV, or other reasons – may develop herpes simplex complications. These include frequent and severe outbreaks and cold sores spreading to different areas of the body.

In some cases, herpes simplex can reach the brain or spinal cord, where it can cause significant damage. Talk to your doctor if you are immunocompromised and suffer from cold sores.

Are Cold Sores Considered an STD?

There’s no doubt that cold sores are annoying. These unsightly blemishes can put a damper on important activities like a public appearance or a long-anticipated date. But does a cold sore mean STD?

Although lot of people say cold sore, herpes, and STD in the same breath, by itself an oral herpes sore doesn’t mean you also have genital herpes. Learn about the symptoms of herpes if you suspect you had encountered this sneaky and prevalent virus.

The herpes simplex virus comes in two main strains: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and its cousin herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). While the two strains behave somewhat differently, both can cause oral and genital sores.

Cold Sores and HSV-1

HSV-1, commonly known as oral herpes, mainly causes cold sores on the lips and around the mouth but can also lead to genital sores—for example, when people receive oral sex from partners who have an active cold sore. Transmission can also occur through kissing or sharing eating or drinking utensils.

Over half of all Americans will experience an HSV-1 infection by adulthood. Many people become infected in childhood without being aware of it—for example, when sharing a plate with a family member with a cold sore.

Luckily, the frequency of HSV-1 outbreaks decreases over time, and most people live with herpes simplex in their system without major adverse effects.

Cold Sores and HSV-2

HSV-2 most frequently triggers sores in the genital area, but can cause mouth sores as well. This strain of the virus transmits through sexual contact or direct contact of open skin with sores.

Condoms can reduce the risk of genital herpes transmission. However, it’s important to keep in mind that HSV can also live on genital areas that condoms don’t cover.

While not as widespread as oral herpes, genital herpes is an extremely common STD. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), 572,000 genital herpes infections occur in the U.S. every year. Roughly one in six American adults will contract HSV-2.

Keep in mind that another common STD, gonorrhea, can also cause symptoms similar to oral and genital herpes. It’s virtually impossible to know precisely what STD you have without a blood test. Learn more about symptoms of oral STD.

In your case, are cold sores an STD? Rapid STD Testing can help you find out. All sexually active individuals should get STD testing at least once a year.

Prevention and Treatment of Cold Sores

Here is some good news: The herpes simplex virus dies very quickly without a host. This means that if a person with an active herpes outbreak drinks from a glass, leaves it on the counter, and you drink from that glass half an hour later, your chances of contracting the virus this way are very small.

You can reduce your risk of catching HSV (of any strain), or of spreading HSV to others if you are a carrier, by a few simple practices:

  • Avoid sexual relations during an active herpes outbreak, even with a condom
  • Consistently use a condom during vaginal and anal sex
  • Use a dental dam during oral sex
  • Avoid kissing while oral herpes sores are present
  • Avoid sharing glasses, eating utensils, toothbrushes, or lipstick
  • Engage in open conversation with your partner: be honest if one of you has herpes and talk about how you can prevent transmission

Did you discover that your sexual partner has herpes? While all strains of the herpes virus are highly contagious, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Learn whether sharing a drink can put you at risk with herpes.

However, there’s a catch to protective measures. Many people wrongly assume that herpes only spreads during an active outbreak. However, many herpes transmissions occur through asymptomatic carriers, although the chance of infection per single contact is much lower. If your steady sexual partner is a herpes carrier, it is highly likely you will contract the virus eventually – and once you do, you will carry it for the rest of your life.

For healthy people with robust immune systems, herpes simplex usually isn’t a serious concern. Living with HSV focuses on management. The following lifestyle changes may help lower the frequency and duration of cold sore outbreaks:

  • Fortify your immune system by a healthy diet and adequate amount of sleep
  • Avoid stress and excessive fatigue
  • Use sunscreen if sunlight triggers cold sores for you
  • Never try to pop blisters or pick at scabbing sores
  • During an outbreak, wash your hands after touching your face
  • Apply cold compresses or ice to relieve pain and reduce irritation
  • Look into over the counter (OTC) cold sore relief creams

If you suffer from major cold sore outbreaks or genital herpes, talk to your doctor about antiviral therapy. Drugs of the acyclovir family can prolong the periods between outbreaks and make outbreak less severe.

Hopefully, this overview has helped clear up the question of “Is a cold sore an STD?” Please note that this article serves educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

If you believe you have genital herpes or any type of STD, contact us at Rapid STD Testing. We operate a nationwide network of over 2,500 labs.

For Your Peace of Mind: Rapid STD Testing

Do cold sores mean you have an STD? Not necessarily, but rapid and discreet same-day STD testing can put your mind at ease regarding any potential STIs. Order our 10-panel STD test from Rapid STD Testing today.

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By: Karen Terry
January 5, 2022

With a profound passion for making intricate medical information accessible to all, John possesses a unique ability to simplify complex concepts without sacrificing accuracy or depth. Armed with a comprehensive understanding of various healthcare fields, John is well-versed in the latest research and advancements. However, what truly sets him apart is his remarkable talent for distilling this wealth of knowledge into engaging, reader-friendly content.