What Causes A Cold Sore On A Child's Body After Sharing An Object?

Posted on Thu, 23 Mar 2017

Question: I awoke this morning with the start of a cold sore. I have had them before. My concern is not for me. My son got a harmonica yesterday for his birthday. I played it for a short time and he played after me. I had no symptoms yesterday. I am fearful I gave him HSV

Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Contagious with onset of symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the query at HealthcareMagic

Cold sores are contagious from the onset of symptoms like tingling,burning,redness etc to the time they heal completely . They are highly contagious once you develop blisters.
Since you shared the harmonica yesterday there is a possibility that your son might have been infected.

Hope I answered your question
Please feel free to address any more concerns
Regards,
Dr.Lekshmi

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (29 minutes later)

There were no symptoms yesterday at all

Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Asymptomatic shedding of virus poses very little risk of transmission

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the query

I understand your concern. But even though you were aymptomatic there is still a very little risk of spreading the infection especially since you were so close to developing symptoms.
Transferring the infection without symptoms is called asymptomatic shedding. But the risk is very little and the possibility of your son developing the symptoms are very slim.

Hope I was able to help you
Please address any more concerns
Regards,
Dr.Lekshmi

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T