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herpes?
ok so im 14 and i have a cold sore on my lip. i haven't had one in like 3 years and everyone gets them now and again just like pimples. i was looking at how to get rid of it and it said that if you have a cold sore you have herpes. so does that mean everyone has herpes? or is it like cancer? everyone has cancer cells but some peoples aren't active? is herpes a disease then? because i haven't done anything to get herpes so im confused? do i have herpes but not "have" herpes? lol
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As rainbowcherrie explained, there are different kinds of herpes. Cold sores are technically a herpes virus, but not the same one as genital herpes.
Personally, I'm 22 and have never had one. It's all in whether or not you've managed to avoid the virus. Once you've been exposed, you'll always have it. You're most likely to get it from someone who has a sore at the time.
Things you might have done to encounter it:
- sharing water bottles
- kissing
- sharing lip gloss / lipstick
- sharing utensils
So you see, it's not like you have to have sex to get it. There are over the counter remedies that help make it go away faster. To avoid giving it to your friends or boyfriends, don't do any of the stuff in the list above when you've got an active sore.
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The herpes simplex virus manifests itself in different ways. Herpes labialis is the virus which causes cold sores. It's incorrect that everyone gets them but once the virus enters your body, it stays there forever. Lots of things can cause cold sores to flare up - stress, sunlight, sunburn, menstruation and general illness.
Although cold sores differ from genital herpes, it's important to avoid oral sex while you have one as the virus can be transferred.
Go to any pharmacy and pick up some over-the-counter coldsore cream to ease any discomfort. If you find you are getting them all the time then you may want to see your doctor to see if he/she can prescribe anything stronger.
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