Does having a cold sore mean I will have herpes?

Question

I've had cold sores before, at least a few times in the past years, maybe around 3-5 times.. I have never been sexually active in any way, I am 18 by the way.
I hate how I get that look from some people. I hate having cold sores, does it mean that I will have herpes/ genital herpes in the future?
please help

Answer 1

Cold sores are herpes. They can be caused by either herpes simplex virus 1, or herpes simplex virus 2.

Having cold sores does NOT mean you will automatically get genital herpes though. If you have sex (oral, anal, or vaginal) or any kind of DIRECT skin to skin contact with an infected area (the genital area) with someone who has genital herpes, then it's definitely possible for you to contract genital herpes. You would then have cold sores and genital herpes.

But, just because a person has cold sores doesn't mean they will automatically develop genital herpes. It's also possible for a person to have genital herpes but NOT have cold sores (that's how I am).

Cold sores are extremely common though. It's estimated about 75 - 80% of the world has them. It's more common to have them then to not have them! Don't worry about it too much.

Take care!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Cold Sore Means

Answer 4

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Answer 5

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Answer 6

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Answer 7

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Answer 8

i happen to have both cold sores and genital herpes. i think u may have shared something like drinks or ciggaretts with someone who has cold sores. when u do have a cold sore just be careful because u can transfer them to your genitals even by touching the cold sore and wiping or touching your genitals. it doesn't mean that u will automatically get genital herpes in the future. well u can always give them the look back if they give the look to u.

Answer 9

It means that you already have herpes on your mouth - cold sores are caused by the virus hsv-1, which is one of the two herpes viruses.

It does not have any relation really as to whether you will get genital herpes - in fact, if it does anything, it lowers your risk of getting genital herpes.

You see, while cold sores are caused by the virus hsv-1, half of genital herpes cases are caused by hsv-2 and the other half by hsv-1, the same virus you have on your lips.

If you already have hsv-1 orally, like you do, although you are still able to catch genital hsv-2, which would usually be passed through intercourse, you are highly unlikely to get genital hsv-1, since you already have the virus somewhere else. That means you are less likely to get genital herpes than someone who has neither virus. And you are unlikely to contract genital herpes from a partner that gets cold sores giving you oral sex - unless they have an actual sore, it isn't really anything to worry about.

On the other hand, it means you need to be careful if you ever give anyone oral sex, if they do not also get oral cold sores, because you can easily give them genital herpes. Although you are more likely to give them genital herpes when you have a visible cold sore, you can also pass the virus when you do not have one - the virus is someties active with no symptoms.

In fact, most people catch herpes from a partner who does not currently have symptoms. I caught genital herpes myself from receiving oral sex from a partner who, like you, got cold sores - and he didn't have one when he gave me oral sex.

Although 8 out of 10 people have cold sores - you are far from alone - most of them don't know it because most never actually have cold sores, eventhough they are infected with the virus. The good thing is that none of those eight out of ten people with the virus is at much risk of catching herpes from you.

Cold sores never used to have a stigma attached to them, but now people are aware they are herpes and so treat you differently more often. Because people aren't educated about the virus, they make an assumption that as it is herpes it must somehow be to do with your sexual past - as it happens, most people with oral cold sores catch them as children from parents or family kissing them - and as you know, they aren't a big deal.

I struggled to come to terms with having genital herpes, because of the stigma people attach to it, so try to remember that half of people with genital herpes only have the same virus as you, and that the symptoms of your cold sores and genital herpes are exactly the same - just in a different location.

In the end, cold sores aren't a big deal, and as you get older, people will not bother so much. Teenagers can be a bit quicker to judge.

Answer 10

Cold sores is a strain of Herpes. Your 18 you should know that the only way to get gential herpes is by having oral/penitrational sex.