Skin condition...is it contageous?

I've noticed a little blister on my skin, and, I remembered that when I had talked to a medic about it, he said it was an infection, or skin condition (forgot the name, perhaps you can fill me in??), recommending that I take Zovirax cream (http://www.zovirax.com/about-zovirax-col… - by GlaxoWellcome).

Coincidentally I met a girl the other day and I was unaware of the "cold sore", and she said her tongue hurt after we kissed (the day after).


Do you think this is contageous?


NOTE: Serious and knowledgeable replies only please.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
You seem to be having cold sores or herpes simplex 1 and the cream that you have been prescribed is an antiviral cream used for cold sores. Pain, burning, tingling, or itching occurs at the infection site before the sores appear. Then clusters of blisters erupt which break down. You need to get some investigations like sample from the sores to identify the virus, culture analysis, Tzanck smear, antigen and antibody studies and blood sampling for antibody studies done to confirm the diagnosis. My sincere advice would be to consult a dermatologist.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.