Question:
I'm new to the world of Herpes. I found out recently that a friend believes she has Herpes (not confirmed by doctor yet). After discussing it with her I got curious and decided to read up on it. She made it seem that it was easy to get. So I have been reading different websites and have read that cold sores are a form of Herpes. I've gotten cold sores since I was young (none in several years) and my son and daughter have gotten them occasionally (once or twice each) and their mother/my ex had them a few times.

Does that mean we all have herpes? and could have been spreading it?

None of us have showed any other "typical" signs in any other place on our bodies.....JUST the occasional cold sore....they always went away in a couple of days after putting campho on them....

Answer:
Does that mean we all have herpes? and could have been spreading it?

None of us have showed any other "typical" signs in any other place on our bodies.....JUST the occasional cold sore....they always went away in a couple of days after putting campho on them.... I know it's not what you want to hear, but YES. It is herpes and you probably have been spreading it without even knowing it. A cold sore on or around the lips/mouth area is Herpes. It's my understanding that it is possible to get HSV2 in this area but most oral herpes are HSV1. It is also my understanding that once it presents in one area it will not "travel" to another area (with the exception of oral sex which I'm still not sure about yet, I'm sure that someone will correct me if I'm wrong with this anywhere here)

Answer:
Yes, oral cold sores are a symptom of Herpes. Usually, it means you have HSV 1. It can be spread through kissing, sharing utensils or drinking from the same cup as someone during or prior to an outbreak. You can also spread it through oral sex to people that are not already infected with HSV 1. I am living proof of this. Someone that gets cold sores had oral sex with me prior to an outbreak (the next morning he had a cold sore) and viola...I now have HSV 1 genitally. All of this confirmed through cultures and a blood test. I know he says he didn't know and I think a lot of people don't realize it! It's good you are researching it. There are things you can do and avoid to reduce your outbreaks. Keep researching...it will help stop the spread of this virus.
Hopeful1234

Answer:
definately not the news i want to hear. i'm sure my kids have it cause of their mother and/or me....... :cry:

so my next question is............i hear about getting blood tests done. Can this be done to detect both simplex's? when can/should it be done to be most effective? None of us (the kids and i) have had any signs more than cold sores/fever blisters.....can both simplex's be detected with the blood test?

Answer:
Don't feel so bad about coldsores...figure it is what...? 85% of the population here in the USA have coldsores (aka Herpes Simplex 1) so ...you are all in fine company. Just continue to treat the coldsore like you have been...using Camphor phenique is good to clean and dry it out. I use hydrogen peroxide to clean mine when I get one.

You could do a blood test to type the coldsores if you want, but if you all get them, well, you know you all have hsv1. Like I said, most of the world does, so the key thing is to make sure to keep it clean, dry it up, and not spread it (to the eyes, etc.)

Also, I have found that when I get a coldsore, if I take large doses of vitamin c really helps. Have the kids take a simple daily childrens vitamin and eat lots of yummy veggies and fruit. And acidopholus milk can help too! Diet can really help control and alleviate coldsore outbreaks!

Don't feel bad. Many people do not realize that coldsores ARE herpes. I have actually had people argue with me about this. "Oh I get fever blisters, but it is not herpes!" They will argue and argue and argue...in denial I guess. But I think the biggest fault lies in the health care/medical community. They should be educating parents and kids about coldsores. And they DON'T!


But I digress...don't worry too much about this. Just help the kids tend to themselves when they do a get a coldsore, and you will all be fine. Good luck!