Clean your Whistle

[RefRx]

I think we have some urban legends in the making here. "Cold sores" are herpes simplex which is a virus you carry in your body. You can't catch cold sores from the air or from your whistle. If you are experiencing them from officiating it is from the trauma the lips adsorb from having the whistle in your mouth for a period of time. You probable get them in the winter when exposed to the elements (excessive sun also). It helps to use chap stick to reduce the trauma. Peroxide, vinegar and all the other products certainly will provide a "clean" whistle, but won't inpact the incidents of cold sores.