What is the line for herpes simplex virus? I am looking for a health professional's opinion.?

It is very hard to word this correctly but I will try. I am aware that cold sores/fever blisters of the mouth are caused by the herpes simplex virus. If a person has had a cold sore, but never any symptoms anywhere else, then are they considered by the medical field to have an STD? Even if there are no sores anywhere near the genital area and the virus was not transmitted sexually? STD's come with a horrible stigma and it doesn't seem fair that someone with a cold sore should have to carry this stigma with them, but I know that healthcare and public opinion are rarely "fair." It's my foster mother so it's important for me to know. It's hard being the child of someone with an STD. It's enough to make someone feel dirty and diseased.

Cold sores are not considered a STD because they affect the mouth not the genital area. They are also usually spread by kissing someone who has them, not by sex, like genital herpes is. If a person ONLY has cold sores they DO NOT have a STD.

You shouldn't feel "dirty" or "diseased" at all. Most people don't know this, but chickenpox, shingles, and even some cases of Mono are all caused by the herpes simplex virus. Does this mean every kid out there who has ever had the chickenpox has a STD? No!

ONLY genital herpes is considered a STD when it comes to the herpes simplex virus. Genital herpes is almost always spread by sex or some kind of sexual contact, hence the acronym STD.

I hope that answered your question!

no it is not considered an "STD" in the medical field. typically herpes on the lips is caused by a different strain (version) of the herpes virus than the one that causes herpes on the genital area. however, it is becoming more common for either strain to cause genital or oral because due to oral sex they are being cross transmitted. anyways most people would not call your foster mom's "cold sore" an STD. hope that makes ya feel a lil better :)

Michelle is correct. It is a different type but can be passed to other parts of the body. Most people don't know but alot of common diseases are a strain of herpes (chicken pox and shingles). Cold sores are contagious but not considered an STD because most of the time they were not sexually transmitted.

a cold sore is not considered an std. most people do have oral herpes and most people are exposed in childhood. this is not an std. however, a person with a cold sore can give another person oral sex and then that person can develop genital herpes which would be considered an std