Spanish influencer Inés García, girlfriend of Barcelona footballer Lamine Yamal, has shared an Instagram update about a recurring herpes outbreak after a lengthy period without symptoms.

García shared a photograph on Instagram Stories showing a sore around her nose and described previous episodes. Her disclosure has drawn attention to a common viral infection that can recur after prolonged symptom-free intervals.

Inés García Describes Her Latest Herpes Outbreak

In her Spanish-language Instagram update, García said it had been a long time since her previous outbreak. She recalled that roughly a year earlier, she had been experiencing at least one herpes outbreak a month. The latest sore, she explained, had appeared on her nose after she woke up.

The influencer also shared images showing what appeared to be cream applied around her nostrils. Reports of the post circulated over the weekend, drawing coverage beyond her followers. Her account was a personal description of recurring symptoms, not a clinical report identifying a particular viral strain.

García did not publicly identify the source of the infection in the reported update. Nor did she suggest that Yamal had contracted herpes or transmitted it to her. Neither person's infection status can be inferred from a photograph of a facial sore or from their relationship.

The couple made their relationship public in May 2026, when they attended Barcelona's end-of-season celebration together. García subsequently supported Yamal during Spain's 2026 World Cup campaign. Her relationship with the footballer has brought additional attention to her social media presence.

Why Cold Sores Can Return After Months

Herpes simplex is a widespread infection caused by two related viruses, HSV-1 and HSV-2. According to the World Health Organization, HSV-1 is the principal cause of oral herpes, including cold sores around the mouth, although sores can also appear elsewhere on the face. HSV-2 is the main cause of genital herpes, although HSV-1 can also cause genital infections.

The WHO estimates that 3.8 billion people younger than 50, 64% worldwide, were living with HSV-1 in 2020. Many experience no recognisable symptoms. Others develop blisters or ulcers that may disappear and return.

Once acquired, herpes simplex remains in the body. An extended period without a cold sore therefore does not necessarily mean the virus has disappeared. Illness, fever, sun exposure, menstruation, injury and emotional stress can sometimes reactivate the virus and trigger another outbreak.

The NHS says cold sores generally begin with tingling, itching or burning before blisters appear. They should start healing within 10 days but remain contagious until completely healed. Antiviral creams can help speed up healing, while antiviral medicines can reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. Neither treatment eliminates the virus.

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What Health Guidance Says About Transmission

The WHO explains that HSV-1 usually spreads through oral contact, particularly contact with sores, saliva or skin around the mouth. Infection can also occur when no visible sores are present, although active lesions carry the greatest transmission risk.

NHS guidance advises avoiding kissing and oral sex while a cold sore is present and washing hands after touching the affected area. People with persistent, unusually painful or frequently recurring sores may need medical advice.

García's account concerned a facial outbreak rather than any disclosed genital symptoms. Her latest Instagram update offered no evidence about when she originally acquired the virus, how it was transmitted or whether anyone else was affected. The precise cause of this recurrence remains undisclosed.

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