DEAR HARRIETTE: My roommate has a huge cold sore on her face. I don’t know much about cold sores, but when I looked them up, I read that they are extremely contagious. We live in fairly close quarters, and I am paranoid that I might catch this. My roommate has not mentioned anything to me about this being contagious. She says it’s painful to talk, and I have found a note from the health center about the sore on her face. I want to disinfect everything, but I do not want to seem rude by protecting myself. Is there a tactful way to ask her about how contagious this is? I feel like I deserve to know if there is a chance that I will catch this. – Suspicious Sores, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SUSPICIOUS SORES: Given that you live with this woman, you do have a right to ask her about her cold sore. Tell her that you read that cold sores are contagious. Ask her what the doctor told her about her condition. Based on what you read, tell her that you want both of you to be super conscientious about keeping your home clean to reduce the risk of infection.

My research says that once a person has the herpes virus, which causes cold sores, the person is contagious, even if cold sores aren’t apparent. So you must be vigilant. Do not share beauty products, especially lip balm or lipstick. Do not share anything that goes in your mouth. While this may seem harsh, you should not share eating utensils either. Also, be sure to thoroughly wash all cooking items.

Being hygienic is smart for everyone. It is critical when you are living with someone who has a contagious disease.

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DEAR HARRIETTE: I thought following my preteen cousin on Twitter would be a great way to bring us closer. An hour or so after I followed her, my phone would not show me her account or tweets. After I Googled why this would happen, I realized she blocked me! I’m offended and cannot believe she does not want me to follow her. I thought younger people loved followers! I am not sure if I should contact her to ask why. Admittedly, I am more than a few years older than her, but I just wanted to know what was going on in her life without having to pry through her mother. I considered making a fake account to see if she’d allow this account to follow her. I was not suspicious of what she was up to until she blocked me; I did not even have enough time to see the tweets as I planned to look after work. Should I see if a secret account fools her? – Tight-Lipped Twitter, Los Angeles

DEAR TIGHT-LIPPED TWITTER: As children are developing their independence, the last thing they typically want is to be followed by family elders. You should have asked her if you could connect on social media before doing so. Your appearance could have been jarring to her. Unless her mother wants you to follow her secretively, you should leave her alone. You can tell her mother that she blocked you so she is on the lookout for what the communication is between your niece and her friends.

— Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to [email protected] or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.