Kissing Cold Sore Worried I Have AIDS

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

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....

Ask the Experts

cold sore question

My boyfriend (who is +) currently has a cold sore on the side of his tongue. I've pecked him a dry kiss hello several times in the past week, with each kiss lasting a very short time. Is this a risk for contracting the virus that causes the...

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

Grady Health System

We still do not know what causes aphthous ulcerations or cold sores that appear on non-fixed or non-keratinized tissues such as the floor of the mouth, buccal mucosa (cheeks) or lateral border of the tongue. We do know that aphthous ulcerations are... Read more »

wet kissing with cold sores

What is the relative risk (high, medium, low) for this situation: I engaged in wet kissing (I don't know if my partner has HIV) and later saw three small cold sores inside my lower lip (each about 0.5mm in size). My partner did not have any...

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

Columbia University's Health & Related Services

This is not a situation for which I recommend testing. HIV is not transmitted through kissing. RMK... Read more »

Mouth Sores and Kissing

Hello Dr I have a real quick question....I have a mild case of Gum disease...and My gums often bleed when brushed..although lately they haven't been bleeding that much anymore cause I'm getting treatment..I also have braces and often have...

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

Grady Health System

If you take your time and brush your teeth according to the instructions you have received from your dental office, you should not continue to have a problem with bleeding gums. People who have orthodontic appliances (braces) have to work a lot... Read more »

Open Mouth Sores And Kissing

Me and My ex-boyfriend were dating for a while and we kissed a lot. When we first kissed he had open sores in his mouth. The a few weeks later I got sores in my mouth. We still kissed a lot. After we broke up his brother and best friend told me that...

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

Grady Health System

Whereas it is true that HIV can be transmitted orally, the vast majority of cases involved oral intercourse, not deep kissing. At the recent 4th International Oral AIDS Conference held in South Africa, the risk of transmission via oral intercourse... Read more »

Go to Ask the Experts »

Connect With Others

Kiss of death?

Posted by Anonymous

Recently I french kissed an HIV+ guy for a long time ( I didn't know he was positive). I am really worried now, because I have a bad habit of chewing on the inside of my cheeks (I know, disgusting) and they bleed. We watched a movie (2 hours)... Read more »

Kiss of death?

Posted by Anonymous

cold sores....

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

Hi all,Iam unaware of my hiv status, about 3 months ago(while under alot of stress) i got tiny white bumps on my upper lip and some in the corner of my mouth, I thought that it might of been cold sores, but 3 months later they haveint grown,they... Read more »

cold sores

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Hi all, this is not a question if i have hiv.
about 4 months ago(while under alot of stress) on my upper lip i noticed lots of little white bumps(tiny)I thought maybe it was cold sores but 3 months later they have not burst or anything, Iam wondering... Read more »

Connect on Our Bulletin Boards »

Tools

My Health Tracker

Assess Your Risk for HIV

Find Local HIV/AIDS Services

Resource Centers

Guides for People With HIV

View All of Our Guides >>