Hi Discoduck,
    Valtrex has always seemed to work for me too. I don't need to take
anything anymore (knock on wood) because my OB's are not very severe these
days.
    I don't think you have anything to worry about if the little fellow did
not have any open scratches or the like on the spot where you gave him the
"old blow".
    If he did somehow end up with it, then it would show itself *usually*
from the nerve bundle it inhabits. I hope some of the others get in on this
to maybe explaine it better than I can.
    One thing is that you can pass it on to someone with no symptoms at
all. The virus could be on the surface and not give you an OB. But it would
be there and be possible to be passed on.

Hope this helps a little,
Wanda

My best friend down in Texas gets cold sores from time to time and she says
that when she feels one coming on she takes Valtrex and it keeps it from
beginning. When she isn't able to catch the cold sore she says it doesn't
last very long taking Valtrex.

I don't think the old "blow on his belly" is going to hurt anything.
Granted, I probably would not have done that but I can see how it would be
easy to forget that you are just healing from having the cold sore. The
Valtrex almost makes you forget that it's even there to begin with. I
wouldn't worry about your nephew. The skin on the belly is pretty thick in
comparison to other areas and there aren't really any openings or breaks in
his skin that would allow for a transfer. As far as how long you could be
contagious for .. I would guess before, during, and a little after the
outbreak has healed.

Angela :)