👄 Cold Sore Contagion Window Simulator

Prodrome — The Warning Tingle Before the Sore

Placeholder: early nerve signal precedes visible lesion.

• 6–24 hrs: Typical duration (Placeholder short note)
• Low-mod: Shedding risk (Placeholder short note)
• Tingling: Symptom (Placeholder short note)
• Start antiviral: Best action (Placeholder short note)

What happens during prodrome

Placeholder: virus reactivates and travels to skin surface.

Vesicle and Ulcer Stage — Peak Viral Shedding

Placeholder: fluid-filled blisters carry the most infectious virus.

• 2–4 days: Typical duration (Placeholder short note)
• Highest: Shedding risk (Placeholder short note)
• Open sore: Symptom (Placeholder short note)
• Avoid contact: Best action (Placeholder short note)

Why this stage is riskiest

Placeholder: exposed fluid contains high viral titers.

Placeholder: avoid kissing and sharing utensils now.

Crusting Stage — Risk Steadily Declines

Placeholder: scab formation reduces but does not eliminate risk.

• 3–5 days: Typical duration (Placeholder short note)
• Moderate: Shedding risk (Placeholder short note)
• Scab: Symptom (Placeholder short note)
• Keep covered: Best action (Placeholder short note)

Handling the crusting phase

Placeholder: avoid picking the scab to limit spread.

Fully Healed — Contact Risk Returns to Baseline

Placeholder: new skin means minimal but nonzero risk remains.

• Day 8–12: Typical onset (Placeholder short note)
• Minimal: Shedding risk (Placeholder short note)
• None visible: Symptom (Placeholder short note)
• Resume normal: Best action (Placeholder short note)

Residual asymptomatic shedding

Placeholder: rare viral shedding can persist without symptoms.

Shared Objects and Direct Contact — Practical Precautions

Placeholder: cups, towels, and kissing are common transmission routes.

• Direct contact: Key vector (Placeholder short note)
• Shared items: Key vector (Placeholder short note)
• No sharing: Precaution (Placeholder short note)
• Hand hygiene: Precaution (Placeholder short note)

Everyday precautions that matter

Placeholder: separate towels, cups, and avoid kissing until healed.

Placeholder: precautions cut transmission risk substantially.