Can c-section give you a cold sore?

[briggsy's girl]

cold sores often hit when you're run down or stressed - whether it's emotional or physical - i'd say that yeah, it's highly possible a c-section would leave you in a situation where you could pick up a cold sore

[Sair]

I would think that you would have had to have direct contact with the virus first to get a cold sore. I got mine from my mother or at school and I used to get 2 or 3 a year, I just had my first one in 3 years last week and it's nearly gone now.

Use ice cubes to keep it from getting any bigger, when you are not pregnant you can get a cold sore tablet from the health food store in a red jar, can't think of the name of the company but it is called cold sore relief or just pick up Lysine which is the ingredient in the tablet that reduces the severity of cold sores, safe while b/fing but no studies while pregnant to determine safety as far as I know.

Cold sores blow

[Arimeh]

I would say that if you had a traumatic birth - any way either c-section or VB - and were prone to getting cold sores, then you probably would get one.

My mum gets them whenever she is stressed or emotionally upset - but I'm not prone to them so I don't get them - and I've had 2 c-sections.

[Mother Goose]

I agree that it would have had more to do with stress and trauma than the actual mode of birth.

FWIW, I did have one after the birth of DD. 8hrs labour followed by emergency C-Sect.

[Indadhanu]

I didn't get a cold sore after my c/s (42hours then a c/s) so it'd also have to be if you are prone to them. I am, but only when its windy (my lips get dry) or if I bump/bite my lip so I guess its pretty individual.

[CathyS]

Like I said, I never suffered any cold sores before. I had even begun exercising a month before and lost a bit of weight and then I fell pregnant by surprise, and got really sick....first cold sore, sinusitis, conjunctivitous (got this from my girls). My immunity went down as my body was protecting the baby I guess. I never got sick like this before when I fell pregnant. I just came off the pill too. Never had a proper period.

I get dry lips a LOT and often have to put vaseline on them EVERY NIGHT. The one night I didn't put vaseline on them, I got a cold sore! Maybe I just need to keep them moisterised a lot?

I just hope I don't get one when bub is born.

[mummato1]

I just came across this thread, I just had my first bub by c-sec on 07/07 and I ended up with about 6 of the buggers all along my bottom lip!!!

But saying that, I am prone to coldsores.. so it didnt surprise me. My body was under a lot of stress, I was tired and dehydrated and very dry lips.

The worst part was not only that I couldnt kiss bub, but also that the hospy wanted me to wear a mask when I fed or held, so basically most of the time!