What was really going on with Kieran from MAFS UK’s cold sore? An investigative deep dive

One of the most important characters of MAFS UK 2024 hasn’t been one of the brides of grooms, but Kieran’s cold sore. How long do cold sores actually last? Why has the cold sore stopped him from being “intimate” with Kristina? Should Adam and Polly be concerned for themselves? We will uncover all. This is investigative journalism at its finest.

What is a cold sore?

Kieran appears to have two cold sores on his lower lip a few weeks into the experiment
(Image via Channel 4)

So, a cold sore is a small blister filled with fluid around your face. I hope you weren’t eating your lunch. The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) causes them.

How do you get cold sores?

Just Kieran and his cold sores
(Image via Channel 4)

People mostly get cold sores by kissing someone who’s already got one. You can also get a cold sore by sharing cutlery, lip balm or towels with someone who has a cold sore.

It’s a bit unclear how Kieran got a cold sore during the experiment if Kristina didn’t have one. Cold sores can flare up again if someone already has the HSV-1 virus and then they get exposed to strong sunlight, or have a weakened immune system due to stress or tiredness.

So, it seems likely that Kieran made out with someone who had a cold sore before the honeymoon, and then the virus reared its ugly head again while he was feeling run down during his fancy honeymoon to Thailand.

How long do cold sores last?

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Most cold sores should clear up by themselves within ten days. The NHS website actually advises people to seek medical attention if a cold sore lasts more then ten days.

How long did Kieran’s cold sore last on MAFS?

Kieran’s lips in the fourth commitment ceremony
(Image via Channel 4)

Let’s investigate. So, Kieran told the experts at a commitment ceremony that he’d developed the cold sore since the honeymoon, because he and Kristina did lots and lots of kissing on the honeymoon. He seems to have had the cold sore for way more than 10 days. Kieran said at the fourth commitment ceremony that he was holding back from Kristina because of the cold sore – well over a month after the honeymoon.

Kristina revealed to the experts that the lack of intimacy in their relationship was upsetting her. She explained, “I just want to feel wanted by you” and “it just feels like we’re friends living together again”. My heart can’t take it. This cold sore has a lot to answer for.

Kieran then confessed he was also holding back from intimacy because he didn’t want to get too emotionally involved with Kristina when he wasn’t sure what he wanted from their relationship.

How contagious is it and how scared should the other MAFS UK contestants be?

What was in the air at that dinner party?
(Image via Channel 4)

Cold sores are actually very, very contagious. If you touch a cold sore, odds are you’re going to get one. Cold sores are extra infectious when they’re new and they’re leaking pus. Yummy.

Kieran is doing the right thing by not kissing or being, ahem, intimate with Kristina while he has a cold sore. Cold sores are basically the same as genital herpes but in a different place. So, you really don’t want to be going anywhere near one.

Although, Kieran did joke at the fourth commitment ceremony “we’ve done it once since the honeymoon”. Presumably in a way that didn’t spread any viruses?

Kieran released a statement clarifying that he didn’t have a cold sore when he drunkenly kissed Adam and Polly at a dinner party. What a relief.

For all the latest MAFS UK 2024 cast member news, scandals, gossip and updates – like The Holy Church of MAFS on Facebook. 

Feature image via Channel 4