Can you get herpes from your own cold sores?

Answer 1

The herpes virus is spread by skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, at the location where the virus is active, during a time when they are shedding virus.

If a person shedding cold sore virus at the mouth performs oral sex on you, you can get genital herpes.

You can not get genital herpes from your own cold sores, unless you are very flexible.

Many people are under the mistaken impression that the type of herpes that causes cold sores is different from the type that causes genital herpes. This is a myth; herpes types 1 and 2 each can cause oral or genital lesions.

One third of the population is unaware that they have the virus, that's why it's being spread so easily. One out of 5 people has the virus, and that number is growing. There is no cure. There are antivirals that are prescribed that keep the number of outbreaks down, but like I said, just because you don't have a sore, doesn't mean you can't get it. Acyclovir and Valacyclovir are the two most prescribed anti-virals.

Answer 2

You can't get chickenpox from a cold sore. Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus. Chickenpox is caused by varicella zoster virus. Both viruses are in the herpes family, but they're different.

Answer 3

You already have herpes if you have a cold sore. There are many different strains of herpes so check with your doctor for solutions to the specific type you may have.

Answer 4

You can pass herpes through a cold sore.