How Long are Cold Sores Contagious

Cold sores, also known as herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease. This is a disease that is caused due to herpes simplex virus I and it is a highly contagious disease. It is contracted when a person comes in contact with an infected person either sexually, or when there is contact of broken skin with an open blister. The statistics regarding cold sores is alarming to say the least, as it is said that nearly 70% or more of Americans suffer from cold sores. So one question that everyone wishes to know the answer to is for how long is a cold sore contagious? Before we try to get the answer to this question, we need to know the various stages of cold sores, as the extent to which cold sores are contagious, though varies from person to person, is slightly dependent on the stage at which the cold sore is.

Five Stages of Cold Sores

• Tingling Stage: In this stage, there is usually no visible outbreak but instead, the person feels a slight tingling sensation in this region. This is also known as prodromal stage and it lasts for a day or two.
• Blister Stage: This is the stage where, after initial redness and soreness in the region of tingling, there is a small water filled blister that is formed. This usually lasts for two days, and there may even be formation of many blisters, which could all join to form one large blister.
• Weeping Stage: The weeping stage is the stage where the blister bursts, to form a painful ulcer that oozes liquid. This stage lasts for a day and this is usually one of the most visible cold sore symptoms.
• Scabbing Stage: In this stage, the ulcer scabs and may break and bleed slightly; and may also itch and burn.
• Healing Stage: in this stage, the cold sore slowly begins to disappear as the scab begins to heal and then, peel off on its own.

How Long is a Cold Sore Contagious for Humans?

As we have seen, there are different stages of cold sores healing process. However, you need to understand that if you have unprotected sex with a person who is infected by herpes, then irrespective of whether the person is showing active symptoms of the disease at that stage or not, he will still, in most likelihood, get the infection. However, if we were to try to find out how long is a cold sore contagious when there is an active breakout, then the entire period of breakout is a time when there is a higher likelihood of the disease being passed on from the infected person to another.

The second stage of the disease, which is the weeping stage, when the blister has burst and the liquid is oozing out, is the most contagious stage of cold sores. This is because this exudate contains millions of virus and if there is contact of broken skin or a cavity with this exudate, then the viruses easily pass from the infected person to another. So, when the cold sore bursts and breaks open, you need to ensure that you do not establish any kind of contact with the infected person.

Thus, your question can be conclusively answered by saying that this is a disease that is highly contagious at all times, although the extent of it being contagious varies, depending on the stage of the disease. So, as many of you may have realized, once infected, you will always be a carrier of this disease, as there is no herpes cure. So, rather than merely wondering about how long do cold sores last and when are they contagious, it is best to at all times, try to stay protected by ensuring that you keep your distance from an infected person, use a condom during sexual intercourse and avoid having multiple sexual partners.