Am I At Risk Of Getting Cold Sores?

Have you recently had an infection, fever or a cold?

Have you recently experienced significant stress?

Have you recently had major life changes, such as relocation, divorce, loss or change of job?

Has anyone in your family or a person close to you had cold sores recently?

Have you kissed or shared food, drinks or personal items with a person who has cold sores?

Do you have sunburn or have been exposed to strong sunlight for a long time?

Do you have HIV/AIDS or some other chronic illness?

Do you have conditions such as eczema or psoriasis?

If you are a woman, are you currently menstruating, pregnant or menopausal?

Have you had any kind of dental work or cosmetic surgery?

Based on your answers you have a low risk of getting cold sores. Cold sores are an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). They are characterized by small blisters filled with fluid that are usually located on the edges of the lips, but can also affect the area around your mouth. Cold sores are extremely contagious and can be spread by close personal contact with an infected person, such as kissing, sharing food, drinks and eating utensils, or by sharing personal care items such as toothbrushes razors or lip balms. A person who has cold sores can spread the infection until all the sores have healed.

Based on your answers you have a moderate risk of getting cold sores. Cold sores are a very common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Based on your answers you have a high risk of getting cold sores. Cold sores are a viral infection characterized by a group of small, painful blisters that usually occur on your lips. A cold sore is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Usually, the initial infection with the virus occurs during childhood. More than half of Americans between the ages of 14 and 49 have the HSV in their body. The virus can be reactivated later in life, caused by some type of stress, whether it is a major life change or an illness. Cold sores can occur many times in a lifetime.