When Can You Catch A Cold Sore? When You Run Really Fast
Sorry for the joke in the title. In case you're confused, running really fast is NOT when you can catch a cold sore. Yes, I'll stick to my day job. But seriously, when can you catch a cold sore? When the herpes virus (in either of its two types) catches you. Although herpes is usually known as a sexually transmitted disease, you don't have to have sex in order to get a cold sore. This is why a lot of little kids get cold sores.
Let's Not Share
You can catch a cold sore when you kiss, share utensils or even drink out of the same cup as someone else with the herpes virus. If you know kids, you know that they like to share everything from their favorite snacks to their favorite lip balm. Try and get them to stop this. And if you are sharing your lip balm with others, stop.
You can catch a cold sore when you even share towels or napkins with someone who has the herpes virus. The other person might not even realize they have the herpes virus, because it often lays dormant for a long while, just biding it's time. Things like extreme stress, a bad diet and getting another illness can trigger the appearance of the waiting virus and cold sores appear.
Before You Go Out In The Sun
It is thought that you can catch a cold sore virus from staying out in the sun too long or staying in sunlight that's too strong for your lips to handle. The cold sores seem to be triggered, even if you are relaxed and generally healthy, by prolonged exposure to the sun. Use of lip balm with sun block already in it can help prevent cold sores from forming. It's also good to wear a hat with a wide brim.
Take Responsibility
If you have had cold sores in the past, then you are still a carrier of the herpes virus. It never goes away. It just bides it's time to be spread by you to some other poor sap. If you know you have had a history of cold sores, try not to share anything your mouth has touched with someone else.
Kissing is a little different. Kissing is okay when you are not developing a cold sore. When you feel one coming on until they time the cold sore has healed, avoid kissing.
