Is a cold sore on your lip only contagious when it weeping?

Cold Sores

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The virus is spread through direct contact with an infected person's saliva or through contact with an infected surface. Cold sores are contagious from the time they first appear until they have completely healed. This means that you can spread the virus to someone else even if you do not have any visible symptoms.

There are some things that you can do to reduce the risk of spreading cold sores to someone else, including:

- Avoid kissing or sharing drinks or food with someone who has a cold sore.

- Wash your hands thoroughly after touching a cold sore.

- Cover the cold sore with a bandage to prevent contact with other people.

If you have a cold sore, it is important to see a doctor if the symptoms are severe or if they do not go away within a few weeks.