Are cold sores contagious at every stage?

Question

Wondering how careful to be. Are cold sores contagious the whole time, including the tingle stage before anything shows and after it scabs over? Want to avoid passing HSV-1 to anyone.

CozyTrail93 · Answer

I stay careful until it has fully healed, not just scabbed.

BraveWillow82 · Answer

They can be contagious from the first tingle, even before the blister appears.

BraveFox28 · Answer

Avoiding kissing and sharing anything during an outbreak is the main thing.

Are cold sores contagious at every stage?

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