I got a cold sore randomly today...?

Question

I noticed a tingling sensation on my upper lip like an hour ago and when I looked online, it turns out its a cold sore. After reading some more info, it turns out its a form of herpes and now I'm affected with the virus until I die. It sucks to know that after all these years of living a life free of major ailments, that I get this (I'm 20 btw). So my questions are, what are some ways to get rid of this cold sore and also my mom touched it with her fingers b/c she didn't know what it was. If she infected now? Does this, in essence, make me a walking biological weapon that can't touch anyone until I die?

Answer 1

yea getting a cold sore is not fun! I have bee getting them ever since I can remember. What soothes my cold sores is putting on ice and cold sore cream. Cold sores can only be spread by kissing, sharing drinks or really any physical contact. But a cold sore is only transferable when it still is oozing, but when it is crusted over it cant be spread.

Answer 2

I know how you feel but i have actually had them since the age of 5.  Sometimes i would even get rid of one and get another right after.  The only thing ive ever found to help them is do not touch them if you can help it and ive tried everything. As long as you feel the tingling, touching them will only aggravate them and make em worse. As far as the herpes thing, i've never had a problem with spreading anything.

Answer 3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes_simp...

Answer 4

A cold sore is a very common thing.  You don't need to stress about it.  Just make sure you wash your hands frequently and your family should not share cups or other eating utensils or wash cloths and towels you have used until they are washed.

Many of us already have the cold sore virus dormant in our bodies, and never have a flare up of cold sores.  We contracted it as children, as it is a very common virus, and children pick it up easily as they often share food and drinks, and may be less concerned about hand washing and hygiene.   Cold sores can be transmitted even when the person does not have a cold sore, though it is less likely to happen then.  

There is no over-the-counter medication or home remedy that cures cold sores.  Only time will take care of that.  But there is a good prescription medication for cold sores.  It will make them go away much faster, and as a result of taking this medication you will have far fewer outbreaks of cold sores.

The absolute best treatment for cold sores is a prescription medication in pill form called Valtrex.  It was intended for genital herpes, but cold sores are caused by the same family of viruses, and Valtrex stops colds sores in their tracks.  None of the other treatments come close to the effectiveness of Valtrex, not the ointment Zovirax, and certainly not Abreva or anything else.  Ask your doctor about it to see if you would be a good candidate for this medication.  My doctor prescribed it for me for cold sores about five years ago and after taking it only a couple of times I hardly ever get a cold sore any more, and before Valtrex I was having several attacks a year.  On the rare occasions that I do get one now, it is gone almost immediately when I take the medication - in about a day.    In the meantime, here are a couple of informative links.

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-t...

http://kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/ach...

Answer 5

I think the best thing to prevent your mom, brother and sisters from getting cold sores, is this guide: http://www.squidoo.com/getridofcoldsores...

It can be a serious problem if not treated properly. Read the guide. It helped me from ever getting them again.

Good luck, I hope it helps.