You likely get a cold sore when you kiss your boyfriend because cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which is highly contagious and commonly spread through close personal contact, such as kissing.
Understanding Cold Sore Transmission
Cold sores are the visible symptom of an infection with the herpes simplex virus, usually HSV-1. While some people with HSV never develop cold sores, others experience outbreaks periodically. The virus lives in nerve cells and can become active, leading to sores.
The virus is transmitted through direct contact with the sores, blisters, or the fluid from them. A person with a cold sore can spread HSV through skin-to-skin contact and also through their saliva. This makes activities like kissing a common way for the virus to spread.
How Kissing Spreads HSV
When you kiss someone who has the herpes simplex virus, especially if they have an active cold sore, you are exposed to the virus through their saliva and any direct contact with the sore itself. Even if there isn't a visible sore, the virus can still be present on the skin or in the saliva during periods of "viral shedding." This means the virus can be transmitted even when the person doesn't have an active outbreak.
Since you are getting cold sores after kissing your boyfriend, it suggests he is a carrier of the herpes simplex virus and is transmitting it to you during kissing.
Key Transmission Methods via Kissing
| Method of Transmission | Explanation | Relevance to Kissing |
|---|---|---|
| Skin-to-Skin Contact | Direct touch between infected and uninfected skin | Lips touching lips or surrounding facial skin |
| Saliva | Virus present in mouth fluids | Exchange of saliva during kissing |
| Contact with Sores | Touching active blisters or fluid | Direct contact with a visible cold sore on the lips |
The reference states, "This means if someone you know has a cold sore, you should avoid: Kissing them." This highlights kissing as a significant risk factor for transmitting the virus.
What This Means for You
- Exposure: You are likely being exposed to the herpes simplex virus by kissing your boyfriend.
- Infection: If you didn't have the virus before, repeated exposure can lead to you becoming infected. Once infected, the virus stays in your body for life, and you may experience future cold sore outbreaks.
- Outbreaks: Getting a cold sore is your body's reaction to the active virus.
Practical Considerations
- Communication: Talk openly with your boyfriend about cold sores and HSV.
- Avoid Contact During Outbreaks: To minimize transmission risk, you should avoid: Kissing them when your boyfriend has a visible cold sore or feels one starting.
- Other Precautions: Avoid sharing items that touch the mouth (cups, utensils, lip balm) especially during an outbreak, as a person with a cold sore can spread HSV... through their saliva.
Understanding how HSV spreads through close contact like kissing helps explain why you might develop cold sores after kissing your boyfriend.
