Oral HSV1 Risks

Dr. Rockoff,
I know this topic has been visited and revisited a million times, but I'm having serious concerns.  I just need my fears allayed.  I'm a thirt-six-year-old woman who got my first cold sore this past January.  I've had a new one every couple weeks since then.  I have not kissed my children or my husband in five months.  It's really killing me.  After reading so much about asymptomatic shedding(I believe the number was 18% of days for oral HSV1), I'm fearful of kissing the ones I love.  I know skin-to-skin contact and saliva will spread the virus... but, how big of a risk is it for my children?  Should I avoid kissing them upon the lips? I love that there is so much information on the internet,and I hate it at the same time. I'm going crazy.  Your knowledge and advice will help me immensley with this issue.  Thanks.

(now, onto someone to help me with my neuroses... ;)

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It may be true that in theory you can transmit herpes with no visible lesion.  However, this is uncommon because the risk is low.  Also, expressing affection toward your husband and children is, well, important.  I think it more than reasonable to kiss the relevant parties when there are no clinical symptoms.  On a personal note, my wife gets the occasional oral cold sore, as she has done since our marriage.  In July that will be 35 years.  We have kissed at times.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[Wandapet]

Thank you so much, Dr. Rockoff!  You have alleviated many of my fears.  I just needed to hear it from a knowledgable and reliable source.  Congratulations on the thirty-five-years, by the way... :)

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

ThanksQ!

Dr. Rockoff

[miller7788]

This is a question for anyone.  My story is similar.  I got my first cold sore at 32 and cannot figure out how I got it.  I dated a girl who got them over 2 years previous to my outbreak.  I had not kissed anyone recently leading up to my outbreak.  I rarely drink after people but its possible I might have recent to the time when I first got one.  Can you get it from drinking after someone?  If so, how likely is it?  Thanks.

[Wandapet]

My doctor told me I may have acquired the virus as a child or teen, and recent stress may have activated it. You will probably never know...