Cold Sores - Tucson,AZ

Updated on September 18, 2011
M.M. asks from Tucson, AZ
7 answers

My dad had a cold sore this weekend on his lip and was kissing my kids. I asked him to stop kissing them and his wife said my kids wont get it as long as he doesnt kiss them on thier mouth, which he didn't. Is this true?

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J.D.

answers from Phoenix on

It is contagious if you can see it and a few days before you can see it - average of 2 weeks.

You can get cold sores (Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1) on your cheeks, forehead, even your eyes (causing blindness)-anywhere in the facial area.

Your dad is wrong and needs to know this. It is actually worse to give it to young children since their immune systems are weaker and their reactions worse.

Just print out the following info. Most people will trust Mayo even if they don't listen to you!
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cold-sore/DS00358/DSECTI...

2 moms found this helpful

J.F.

answers from Philadelphia on

unless they have a sore on their head yes, it needs an opening to enter their body, so if they have a cut where he kissed they could, but honestly, if they got a cold sore on their cheek in some odd way i;d be happy theyd never have to get it on their mouth or other areas, b/c it stays to the area you get it and then u wont get it other places...so relax=)

1 mom found this helpful
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A.H.

answers from Canton on

Not sure about that one. My daughter had a huge outbreak of cold sores when she was 18mths. My son had a cold sore at the time so we assumed she got it from him. He'll kiss her but I've never seen him kiss her on the lips. I'm very susceptible to cold sores. I swear I think I can get them from someone across the room...lol! So, I think it might just be how well the person's immune system is. Hopefully they don't get them.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from Boston on

The virus is highly contagious, but needs an opening to get in. I would be very upset that dad would not of his own accord refrain from kissing them. If you have a sniffle you don't kiss to avoid spreading germs, yet here he is willing to spread a lifelong virus, however small the risk? I get cold sores, and when my kids were infants I would wear a face mask if I had one. However, I did read somewhere that most infections occur around age 7 and are not caused by adult family members with the virus, but by other kids hugging touching their cold sore and then touching others. I guess "generally" family members care more for their own offspring and are more aware of the annoyance and social impact that having this virus causes. I would ask my doctor since I have heard that if you use Acyclovir the very first time you have an outbreak it reduces the severity. I use Acyclovir cream (Zovirax) when I first feel a tingle and it often completely prevents the blisters forming. If I were you, I would look up some facts about herpes cold sores online, print it out, and hand it to dad to read with the comment that you are sorry he has to deal with these cold sores but please try to keep from spreading to your grandchildren.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.C.

answers from Phoenix on

No .cold sores, also known as Herpes are contagious. If the virus is on the hand it can be transmitted to the eyes or mouth. No kissing and wash your hands!!!!

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J.R.

answers from Glens Falls on

No, it is not true. He should refrain from kissing them when he has cold sores. I get herpes breakouts on my chin from someone who thought it didn't matter, too. I have a friend that gets them on her forehead. It would probably take a scratch, cut or puncture to really take hold, but why take a chance?

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K.R.

answers from Phoenix on

It sort of seems like it doesn't matter if it's true or not. If he had a sore on his mouth, and you were in the least a bit uncomfortable with him kissing the kids, enough said. The mama shouldn't be second-guessed! In this situation, you perhaps have politely said to step-mom "that may be true, but I'm still uncomfortable with it". Stand your ground.

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