To catch a cold sore from popcorn

[ArryArryPotter]

DH has a cold sore and just shared a bag of popcorn with the kids with some finger licking. Am really annoyed as I think there’s a chance they’ll catch the cold sore virus from this. DH says no risk as there was no kissing or skin to skin. Am guessing there is nothing I can do about it now but AIBU?

I am quite aware of the differences, thank you.
Are you ok? This seems a very emotional response to a strangers question.

@Sue152 and for everyone else that suffers, I pay for Aciclovir from Superdrug online doctor as a private prescription. Take as soon as one comes up or preventively if you're a frequent sufferer. It's helped me so much and not too expensive if you buy multiple doses as it's much better value.

@Grapewrath
You are posting incorrect information.
The John Hopkins School of Medicine info I posted is definitely up to date and correct. They are the #3 research university for medicine in the US.

Your herpes.org webpage is the one out of date on HSV-1. Which is unsurprising as it is written by sexual health professionals who only have training on HSV-2.

Are you ok? You were the one alleging “hysteria”

if anyone is a frequent sufferer of HSV 1or 2 you can be be given low dose antiviral tablets to try and reduce your outbreaks.
Those who suffer with herpes on their genitals can take oral antivirals at the first sign of an outbreak as topical creams aren’t appropriate

The World Health Organisation (WHO)
“HSV-1 is mainly transmitted via contact with the virus in sores, saliva or surfaces in or around the mouth. Less commonly, HSV-1 can be transmitted to the genital area through oral-genital contact to cause genital herpes. It can be transmitted from oral or skin surfaces that appear normal; however, the greatest risk of transmission is when there are active sores.”

”People with symptoms of oral herpes should avoid oral contact with others (including oral sex) and sharing objects that touched saliva.”

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/herpes-simplex-virus

This is not correct. The HCPs on herpes uk are experts in the field of HSV1 and 2.
Also, we are in the UK.
There is a lot of interesting bias around Herpes in general from the past.
I don’t think any of this is helpful to the OP though or to anyone else who may be suffering from HSV 1/2 as it is just encouraging more information sharing and I am quite sure that people have the critical thinking skills to do their own credible research.
im going to leave this here as like I said, this conversation is potentially harmful

In the UK about a third of genital herpes are caused by HSV-1. That’s why you’re taught in sex Ed about avoiding oral sex if you have a cold sore etc- it’s very easily spread that way.

U.K. NICE guidelines.
How is herpes simplex transmitted?

• Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is usually transmitted during childhood via direct contact with infected secretions entering via the skin or mucous membranes, from a person who is actively shedding the virus to a HSV-seronegative person Esmann, 2001; Torres, 2007; PCDS, 2021].
• The virus can be transmitted by salivary transfer by kissing or sharing utensils or towels, if there is contact with mucus membranes or open or abraded skin Usatine, 2010a].
• A person sheds HSV-1 for a median duration of 4–60 hours after the onset of symptoms Torres, 2007], and HSV can be transmitted from oral mucosa or skin surfaces that appear normal when no clinical lesions are present Stoopler, 2012; BMJ Best Practice, 2021].
• Lesions are most contagious at the time of vesicular rupture, and continue to be contagious until they have scabbed AAOM, 2016].
• Primary infection appears 2–26 days after contact with an infected person Usatine, 2010a; George, 2014].
• HSV persists in a latent state in sensory dorsal root ganglia proximal to the site of infection (typically the trigeminal nerve ganglion), where it can remain latent indefinitely, or reactivate to cause clinical infection or asymptomatic viral shedding Williams, 2011; Stoopler and Sollecito, 2014; BMJ Best Practice, 2021; PCDS, 2021].

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/herpes-simplex-oral/background-information/transmission/

It IS correct, it matches with the U.K. NICE guide which is the reference book and authority over all NHS HCPs.

It doesn’t matter whether a medical source is US or Worldwide or U.K. because we are all human beings and viruses transmit the same no matter our race or nationality.

The only reason you are saying it is not helpful is because these sources which are much more reliable and authoritative than some STI charity webpage is because they are showing you to be incorrect.

It is extremely unlikely that the OP’s DH cold sore on his mouth is caused by HSV-2.

The WHO and NICE sadly aren’t always factual or up to date. This is not about me being right or you, it’s about the OP feeling worried.
OP- even if herpes does spread via spit ( like I said do your own research
as has been disputed) your husband would have to have it on his hands and put it into the popcorn…and it still be active for your child it in their mouth and catch it. That’s a very slim chance. Like you said, he could be shedding it anyway and you may have it already if he suffers frequent outbreaks.

The WHO and NICE are far more likely to be up to date than an STI charity webpage. The transmission of HSV-1 from a mouth sore by saliva has not ever been disputed. You simply are not understanding what you are reading. Your very first post was about genital herpes! All it was saying is that when you only have sore(s) on your genitals, then it’s not going to be transmissible by your saliva. You have misunderstood that and thought it applies to mouth sores when it absolutely does not.

And please, at least read the OP. They were sharing a bag of popcorn with lots of ‘finger licking” going on while do so. Licking = spit on fingers that then went back into the shared bag of popcorn and would have resulted in his saliva on popcorn that the children then ate. It is most contagious when there is an active mouth sore- which he has. It may be a small risk but it is also 100% avoidable with good hygiene practices.

Really, it is your posts that have been the most unhelpful. Dismissing a perfectly valid, science based hygiene concern as “hysteria” and posting blurbs on genital herpes when the issue is oral herpes.

You are absolutely correct- many cases of genital herpes are caused by HSV1 and this is becoming more and more common. It’s not rare at all.

I think it dies within about 10 seconds off the skin

For an unfortunate few, the herpes virus can cause encephalitis which can lead to death.

OP and others - don’t worry it’s very rare. However if you are unfortunate to have encephalitis, it’s the first thing they want to know.

@nozbottheblue Thank you. I tried Zovirax this time and have before. It didn't stop it. The only time I have ever stopped one at the 'tingle' has been using an ointment with L-lysine but that one isn't available now. When I got them more I used to take a L-lysine tablet - this made a difference and I got very few. I stopped though as tablets are huge and can cause an issue with cholesterol. This one is first in years and I know what triggered it.

They are horrible.

your husband would have to have it on his hands and put it into the popcorn

It literally says in the OP he was licking his fingers and putting his hand back in the bag

No, it is not

so true, I'm going to have to have that talk with my teen who has had cold sores since being kissed as a baby by a relative, just so shes extra aware. I hope this thread highlights that having cold sores (or genital herpes) is nothing to be embarrassed about but if we all practice good hygiene and preventative measures then people wont have to deal with the consequences. Still, seeing as I often see women leaving a public toilet without washing their hands sadly good hygiene isn't a priority for some people!

Yes it's probably awful having one

Hi OP. Did anyone get a cold sore?

@Purplturpl no, all clear thankfully. The daily checks are still the butt of many family jokes. DH did get Zorivax (sp?) from the GP to take at the next outbreak and we’re all more aware of sharing etc as there was lots of good info shared here 🙏