Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with coldsores

What's the best way of dealing with a housemate with BPD who is concerned by me spreading cold-sores to her?

severin — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 06:19:30 -0800

What are the chances of getting cold sores about two weeks after a friend of mine had an outbreak of cold sores? And how should I deal with the concerns of my housemate (who has BPD) who thinks I may spread it to her? Today I went around to a friend of mine's to help her with some housework. My housemate was a little concerned that since my friend had a cold sore about three weeks ago, that I might catch it and bring it back into our household. I tried to assure her that (a) I wouldn't kiss my friend, and (b) that even if I did, the chance of getting a cold sore was slim, since the blister was long gone. Is this correct, though? If I did kiss my friend, and she hasn't had a blister for a couple of weeks, what would be the chance of getting a cold sore? Also, I did eat dinner over there and used her cutlery. What kind of a risk did I run by doing that?

When I returned, she was livid that I went over there in the first place. She didn't trust that I hadn't kissed her, and said that her boyfriend wasn't happy either, saying that it would affect him if she got cold sores.

Now, this is where the question gets a little tricky. My housemate has Borderline Personality Disorder.

In the heat of the moment, I told her the chances for her getting a cold-sore from this were zero percent (probably a mistake to say that), and I told her that I wasn't happy with her boyfriend for saying it was a valid concern, because it wasn't. That was also a big mistake for me to say that. She's in her room now.

I was wondering what would be a good way to approach the situation from here on in, and what would have been a better way for me to have approached the situation from the start?

What is up with coldsores?

mjao — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:32:17 -0800

I've gotten coldsores since I was a kid, generally once every 18-36 months. I got one 2-3 months ago, but then I got another one today. My whole life I got them on my top lip, but 2-3 months ago I got it for the first time on my bottom lip. This time, it has appeared on my bottom lip again, but now I think a SECOND one is also appearing on my top lip. Why has it moved? Why has it become more frequent? Why am I now getting 2-for-1? Should I be freaking out? Note: I am freaking out. One is bad enough, but TWO? I'm a leper.

Do you stay home when you have a coldsore?

nomnomnom — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:03:48 -0800

Two-pronged question: (1.) How do you get out of work if you wake up with a massive coldsore?; & (2.) Do most people just go to work with a coldsore? I have only ever seen one other person at work with a coldsore. It didn't look particularly nasty and this person did not have to deal with customers or the public. I couldn't imagine going to work when I have one. They stick around for up to ten days and are painful and humiliating. I work with people/customers so it would suck. I've only ever had one while at school/university so it was no biggie to stay home. What's the norm with the workplace?

Is it expected that you show up? Is it cool to stay home? Can you call your boss and say you're rundown and have a coldsore, or is another excuse expected?

My new p/t job provides sick pay, but you have to provide a medical certificate. Is there any non-dodgy way to say, "I'm sick, but I don't want/need to get paid so I'm not bringing in a med cert?"

I have no other what other people do in this situation because I've never asked!

how can I stop freaking out about cold sores?

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:17:51 -0800

how can I stop freaking out about cold sores? I am a male. Lets say I'm 30. I have been getting cold sores since I was a kid. For some reason, I've had an increase in frequency in the past few months, and I am not sure why. I know stress is often a primary factor, but I have not been under any more stress than in other periods of my life. I used to go long periods of time without incident.

So, how can I stop being completely embarrassed by them?

How do I deal with this while dating? Maybe that's the bigger issue.. I am coming out of a 10-year relationship (she knew and didn't care. but she's a health care professional, so her opinion on the matter was at least informed). But I feel like I'm now dealing with the stigma of an STD.

Are cold sores really that prevalent among the general population?

I use Valtrex, but not daily. I don't want to have to use it daily, either. I use one pill if I feel one beginning, and it usually kills it within a day. I'm now wondering if my body has built a tolerance to the drug, since it seems like the frequency of the cold sores has increased after the first time I used valtrex to suppress it (only within the past year or so). I've considered stopping the valtrex altogether and letting my immune system deal with them on it's own; i wondered if maybe if maybe the valtrex was interfering with my body's ability to suppress outbreaks on its own.

See what I mean? I am totally freaking out about it.

Help me look human again.

honeydew — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 09:26:23 -0800

Two days ago I got what I thought was the beginning of a cold sore at the corner of my mouth. Today I woke up and my entire face was a puffy mess. What's going on? My whole face is red and noticeably puffy. The cold sore has proceeded to act like a typical cold sore. It seems like there's a connection to the sore and the rest of my face, as the swelling has slowly spread upwards. Could the virus have spread to the rest of my face? Any idea on what this might be? My ladyfriend thinks it looks like an allergic reaction but is at a loss as to why it would be only on my face. I'm avoiding antihistamines for right now because they put me to sleep and I have work to do, though.

Any ideas on how to make a puffy face look a little less horrifying, or what could be causing this?

Please educate me about cold sores

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 18:39:50 -0800

This thread about cold sores has prompted me to ask some long-standing questions about them. My girlfriend has had cold sores (2-3 episodes per year) since she was a toddler. I've never had cold sores. Since we've been together she's had a couple, and when she does get one we are careful not to kiss and so far that's been successful. Barring any further knowledge, this strategy of avoidance during her outbreaks will continue to be our gold standard prophylaxis.

However, the things I've read about Herpes Simplex virus 1 (HSV1) have made me wonder whether there's any point. From reputable sources, I've read that as many as 60% of the population have antibodies to the virus, but only a number of them ever show clinical disease. Also, I've read that virus is shed into saliva even during non-symptomatic phases.

I can't help but think that on a long enough timeline I'm going to get it, or that I even have it now but am lucky enough to not be symptomatic. Could either of those be correct? Is there some test I can take that could reliably tell me whether I've already been exposed? Supposing I have, does that mean that we no longer have to be so cautious during episodes? I once tried to ask my doctor these questions, but he didn't know and was kinda pissed that I would waste his time just to ask some questions. He's not the best.

I can avoid kissing her for 10 days, 3 times a year. But if it's a pointless strategy, I'd want to know. And speaking of avoiding kissing her, once the sore has backed down and started the healing process, is it safe then? Or do I have to wait until the area has completely healed?

Finally, can someone with a cold sore give themselves genital herpes (I know HSV2 is typically responsible, but genital HSV1 infection can happen)?

Thanks in advance. There's a lot I don't know, and failing my other reasonably extensive attempts to find out, I put it you you guys. And don't worry, I will take responses with the appropriate-sized grain of salt before acting. So, supporting articles, credentials, or even just where you heard it, would be much appreciated.

Cold Sore Prevention

synecdoche — Sat, 22 Oct 2005 22:44:34 -0800

When the weather starts to get cold, I get cold sores on my lips. Have since I was little. Obviously, I don't like this much. I have some ointment/gel that gets rid of them fairly quickly (much quicker than if I let them run their course normally, I mean), but I was wondering if there is anything I can do that might prevent them in the future.

Non-cold-sore-inciting birth control?

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Sep 2005 13:17:47 -0800

Are there any birth control pills/shots/drugs that do not incite cold sores? My girlfriend has had cold sores since she was a young child. The last time she was on birth control (ortho tri-cyclen lo), she noticed an increase in the frequency of the cold sores. These are controllable with medication such that they don't even appear beyond her feeling them, but she really doesn't want to have to deal with them like that. Since then, she's read from X reputable source that birth control, in general, does indeed increase the frequency of the sores. Are there any types/brands of pills or shots or something that won't cause cold sores to rear their ugly heads?