How Likely Is It To Get HIV From Touching Cold Sore

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Get the Facts

Herpes Simplex (Cold Sores and Genital Herpes)

What Is Herpes? Herpes simplex refers to a group of viruses that infect humans. Like herpes zoster (shingles, see Fact Sheet 509 ), herpes simplex causes painful skin eruptions. Itching and tingling are usually the first signs, followed by a blister that breaks open. The infection stays dormant in nerve cells. This is called "latency." However, it can become active again with no warning. Herpes can be active without symptoms or visible signs....

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Hiv from touching toothbrushing (SNIFFING AND HIV, 2010)

Hello Dr Bob, Need you sincere opinion on what is happened to me.For 3 weeks I work abroad (in UK). I moved with a colleague of mine.(we share the same house, the same bathroom). First of all, I have OCDregarding HIV infection. I keep my personal...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi,HIV from touching a toothbrush handle and sniffing it? WOWZA! Your OCD is OOC (out of control!). Your HIV-acquisition risk is nonexistent. Your fears are irrational and unwarranted. I'd suggest you seek counseling (psychotherapy), because,... Read more »

risk of HIV from oral sex with cold sore

what are the risk of contracting hiv from someone from the act of performing oral sex when cold sore blisters are present on the lips of the partner providing the oral sex?would the use of a condom reduce the risk? it is possible for the virus to be...

Response from Ryan M. Kull, C.S.W

Columbia University's Health & Related Services

Theoretically, if you have some sort of active sore or lesion and that comes into contact with HIV infected fluids, there would be an increased risk of HIV transmission. A barrier that prevents fluids from coming into contact with the sore would... Read more »

cold sore as an early sign of HIV infection?

Mr. Sowadsky-- About six months ago, I had sex with an old boyfriend, andalthough I do remember using condoms with him, I'm not sure because I was extremely intoxicated. At anyrate, this summer I had an outbreak of cold sores on my nose after a...

Response from Rick Sowadsky, M.P.H.

Nevada State Health Division AIDS Program

Hi. Thank you for your question.Cold sores are due to the Herpes Simplex viruses. A person can have theherpes viruses and NOT have HIV. They are two seperate infections.Stress (both physical and emotional), can activate the herpes viruses, andlead... Read more »

Cold Sores and HIV

I was diagnosed with Herpes II 5 years ago. Just last week I developed a cold sore for the first time ever. Could this be a possible symptom of HIV? Also - what treatment (if not acyclovir cream/L-Lysine) do you recommend for this? I teach...

Response from David A. Reznik, D.D.S.

Grady Health System

Cold sores, per se, are not diagnostic of HIV infection. Remember, there are not any oral manifestations that we see in association with HIV infection that are solely seen in this patient population, therefore the presence of these lesions would at... Read more »

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Cold sores /hiv infection

Posted by bug, 2 Replies

Hello,
I recently had sex with a prostitute and was so drunk(and stupid) i couldn't think of any possible dangers.
The prostitute had several cold sores on her body. We had unprotected oral sex (lasted less than a minute) and 2 times protected vaginal... Read more »

Sore Throat And Colds Have Nothing To Do With HIV!

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Check this out:

http://www.hopkins-aids.edu/forum/view_question.html?section_id=61&id=48209&category_id=0

The doctor says that neither the frequency of, nor susceptibility to common colds (including sore throat symptoms) is different in HIV+... Read more »

cold sores

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

I'm still waiting to test. One more week to go. I had a curiousity question for you guys. I carry the herpes virus that gives me cold sores. Although since the the time I could have potentially become infected, I haven;t had one occur. Usually when... Read more »

How likely is thrush in HIV- folks

Posted by Anonymous

Hi,
I have noticed a whitish coat over my entire tongue for the past week. I've been reading up on thrush and its typically described as milkish/curdish white patches. I don't have these typical patches any other patches in the mouth, just an even... Read more »

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