Helped Over 500,000 patients with 98%+ satisfaction.

Connect & Get Personalized 1-to-1 Answers from Expert Doctors

DoctorSpring > Question Home

Shared beverage with person with COLD SORE. Chances of contracting?

Resolved Question:

I shared a alcoholic beverage with someone, and later realize that they had a cold sore on their lip. It looks like it was in the healing stage, but I cannot stop thinking about it now. How worried should I be? I have never had a cold sore, and do not want to start now. Given my exposure, is there anything I can do to limit my chances of contracting it? Again, what are the odds I will be ok?

Category: Internal Medicine Specialist

Ask Your Own Question

Category: HIV- AIDS Specialist
 32 Doctors Online

Hello,
Thank You for your query at DoctorSpring.com
I understand your concern.
HSV-1 or oral herpes which causes cold sores can be transmitted by sharing food items or sharing the same glass e.t.c
However the good thing is though it's possible, it needs multiple such exposures and one such exposure is not risky. So i would say, given your exposure it is highly unlikely you will be developing a cold sore yourself.
The chances get higher through exposure such as kissing, when the affected partner has an open lesion. Apart from that the other modes have very less chances of passing on the infection.
Moreover as you said it was in the healing stage, you should not worry.
Unfortunately there is no way you can stop a viral infection from developing, however the outbreak and the number of sores can be limited by starting Acyclovir the moment a cold sore appears.
But in your case, it won't be required.
Feel free to discuss further,
Regards.


Patient replied :

So you really think it will be ok? My lips were chapped at the time, which further heightened my concern. Ugh I never share drinks what a stupid mistake to make at this point in my life! I'm so mad at myself and nervous. I keep thinking my lips feel weird now. So, you really do not think I should be worried? Honestly?


Hello,
Please do not blame yourself.
How could you have possibly known?
No from one such exposure it is extremely extremely unlikely to contract herpes. It needs multiple prolonged exposure.
The feeling you're having is definitely due to anxiety.
So please do not worry.
Regards.


Patient replied :

And u don't think my chapped lips and cut in mouth would make me more susceptible?


Hello,
Even with chapped lips or minor cuts, one such exposure is not likely to cause the disease.
I totally get your anxiety but according to what we know theoretically and even the cases i have come across, only multiple such exposures are required to get oral herpes.
So in my opinion, you should not worry anymore.
Regards.


Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy
Category: HIV- AIDS Specialist
Experience: 
MBBS from Sri Ramachandra University in December 2011
M.Med (Family Medicine) - TNMGR University, Chennai
MBA-MPH in Public Health in March 2016, SRM University
Finished AFIH in March 2016, SRM University
MRCP ( UK ), Internal Medicine, Royal College of Physicians, June 2016
Fellowship in Diabetology from Martin Luther University in January 2017

Currently Resident Physician, in MD Radiodiagnosis - Kamakshi Memorial Hospital, Chennai
Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

Users who read this, also read:

Make informed and better medical decisions.

Join the 500,000 people who found a smarter, quicker way to get Answers, Recommendations & Expert Opinions.

Expert Doctors at fingertips

Recommendation on next step. Second-opinion.Multi-specialty.

Save Time

Average time for answers: 6 hours.

Save Money

$35 for typical specialist consult vs. $120 for a local appointment.

Free Follow-ups

Clarify, ask further questions for free in private conversation.

100% Satisfaction

Money back guarantee for the 1st reply. MEDNET Quality Board.

Start My Consultation

CHAT NOW

About DoctorSpring.com

Doctor Spring is a novel online Doctor consultation platform where you can get your medical questions answered by leading Doctors. Just Submit your question and rest assured that you will consult a Doctor easily. Once you submit the question, the Doctor from the concerned specialty will reply within hours. You can always ask more questions or add details with follow-up question options and make it an online doctor chat. You may use this service to consult a specialty or for getting medical second opinion. All paid services come with a MEDNET quality assurance and 100% money back guarantee.

DoctorSpring in news