Question
Can I get HIV from a cold sore?
4 July 2011. Related: All topics, HIV transmission.
Can I get HIV from my partners cold sore?
He’s been undetectable for over three years and had a cold sore on his lip then i got one few days later.
If he gave me the herpes virus will it have HIV with it?
Answer
The cold sore virus (HSV-1) and HIV are different viruses that are passed on in different ways.
So while cold sores can be spread by physical contact – touching – this is not the case for HIV.
Unless his semen came into contact with your cold sore, this will not have been a risk for HIV.