You may be repeatedly giving your girlfriend cold sores because the virus that causes them, the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), is extremely contagious, even when you do not have a visible cold sore. Once a person has contracted HSV-1, the virus remains in their body and can reactivate, leading to recurring outbreaks and potential transmission.
Understanding HSV-1 Transmission
HSV-1 spreads very easily through various forms of close contact, making it common for partners to transmit the virus to each other. Here's how the virus can be spread:
- Direct Contact:
- Kissing: This is one of the most common ways HSV-1 is spread, as the virus can be present in saliva or on the skin around the mouth even without an active sore.
- Oral Sex: Engaging in oral sex can also transmit the virus, leading to cold sores around the mouth or genital herpes if transmitted to the genital area.
- Sharing Personal Items:
- Utensils, Food, and Beverages: Sharing items that come into contact with saliva, such as eating utensils, drinks, or food, can facilitate the spread of the virus.
- Lip Balms or Towels: Any personal item that touches the mouth area can potentially carry and transmit the virus.
Why It Keeps Happening
If you are a carrier of HSV-1, the virus can be shed (released from your body) periodically, even when you have no symptoms or visible cold sores. This is known as asymptomatic shedding. This makes it challenging to prevent transmission because you might not know you are contagious at a given moment. Factors like stress, illness, fatigue, or even sunlight can trigger the virus to reactivate and potentially shed.
Reducing the Risk of Transmission
While it's impossible to completely eliminate the risk if one partner has HSV-1, you can take steps to reduce the frequency of transmission:
- Avoid Contact During Outbreaks: When you have an active cold sore, it is highly contagious. Avoid kissing, sharing food or drinks, and engaging in oral sex until the sore has completely healed and scabbed over.
- Practice Good Hygiene: Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching your mouth or cold sores.
- Be Mindful of Asymptomatic Shedding: Even without a visible sore, the virus can be present. Consider discussing this with your partner and making joint decisions about how to manage the risk.
- Avoid Sharing Personal Items: Refrain from sharing razors, towels, lip balms, or any items that come into contact with your mouth or face.
Understanding that HSV-1 is highly contagious, even without visible symptoms, is key to comprehending why cold sores can be frequently transmitted between partners.
