Cold sore exposure to family

[Johntucker]

Hey terri warren, i stumbled across your website and fourms and i really need your help. I recently got my first cold sore, i was not aware of what i had at the time. The same day i went out to eat with my family, we were given glass cups with water not aware during the moment i was touching my cold sore and i picked up the glass for my little sister and mother and poured them a drink with the hand i had touched my coldsore with. I am pretty sure i touched both their glasses and they drank from the glasses. I am so devasted because i went to the doctors the next day for them to inform me of what i had on my lip. I cried so heavily the same night knowing i could of infected them with this virus as well. Please i need your help my anxiety is getting to me as i have had deep thoughts for the past couple of days. Can i really spread hsv1 around like that to my own family without even knowing. Thank you in adavnce.

[Terri Warren]

You would not have infected your family members through the method that you describe – your worries are not necessary at all.

Terri

[Johntucker]

Hello terri thanks for the reply, in response to your reply why does the doctor tell you not to touch your genitals or eyes after you touch a cold sore, wouldnt that mean the virus can still live on the finger for abit?

Also on another similar topic, can you confirm this?
“A person who has had herpes cold sores from herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1), it is unlikely for HSV1 to be transmitted to the genitals throughoral sex. … However, if HSV2 enters the body above the waistline and stays there, it is still HSV2. The same holds true for HSV1 that enters the body at the genitals.”

If the above quote is true why do doctors tell us not to touch our genitals and eyes after we touch our cold sore? Can hsv1 spread to both oral and genitals?
Sorry for all the questions, i really appreciate what your fourm has been able to do and help so many people.

[Terri Warren]

You are describing something called autoinoculation, spreading the virus from one location to another on your body. This almost always happens with brand new infection. Once your body has a chance to make antibody, this is not a worry. I’m not sure all clinicians know this. You describe having your first cold sore but you don’t describe anything that makes me believe that you just got infected – is that something you are worried about? And yes, I agree with the quote.

Terri

[Johntucker]

I am not sure when i got infected as i have had a couple girlfriends. I was wondering how long till our immune system builds the antibodies? Is it different depending on the person, when should i assume its safe to recieve unprotected oral again after my first initial cold sore

[Terri Warren]

Antibodies should be built within a four-month period.
I’m a little confused about your question about receiving unprotected oral sex. I think what you are asking is if you are vulnerable to acquiring HSV one genitally, is that right? If this is your concern, I would wait four months

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Terri

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