I know about newborns and coldsores, but what if the MUM has one???

[ILoveSaladReallyIDo]

I never usually get em
I have a lump and a tingle on the side of my mouth
baby imminent, what do I do??? will I have to move out?

[HopAndSkip]

just dont kiss her/him until it's gone. its the herpes virus down there thats a danger to give birth with during an out break, as far as i'm aware a mouth outbreak isn't a problem

[sundaesundae]

If you have ever had one you have immunity and will have passed that on to the baby. If this is your very first you just need to practice very good hygeine and be very careful and vigilent of any signs of unwellness in baby.

[MostlyCake]

Wash your hands constantly especially if you have just put on coldsore medication, dont share utensils (cups, cutlery and things you put in your mouth) with anyone else (even if you put them in the dishwasher - I even wash my stuff separately which might be an over-reaction but it makes me feel better!) and don't, repeat don't kiss the baby or anyone until the coldsore has completely gone!

I have had coldsores since I was around 18 but my mum has had coldsores since before I was born (so not sure about the transmitted immunity) and I only 'caught' the virus when I went to uni... Just be careful and sensible and the baby wont get it. My husband hasn't caught the virus from me and we've been together for 8 years - it can be done!

BTW sometimes you don't get a tingle, it can be a 'hot' spot on your lip or an itchy feeling. Get Zovirax from the chemist and blast it as soon as you feel one starting and it might not come to anything - not sure if they are contagious at this stage but I'd assume that they are just to be on the safe side.

Good luck!

[MostlyCake]

One more thing! You can get little coldsore 'plasters' from Compeed (www.compeed.co.uk/compeed-coldsore). I couldn't get them to stick but that's probably more to do with me than the plasters...

I still wouldnt kiss anyone but there's less chance of the baby accidentally touching the blister.

[oldebaglady]

mostly cake it is transfered between children and adults with contact, but with newborns they can get enough of it air bourne so usual precautions aren't enough

[MostlyCake]

Oh, Olde, I didnt know that - what do you have to do in addition to the usual stuff?

[oldebaglady]

totally avoid newborns if possible. If not treat ASAP.

[BumgrapesofWrath]

I have a coldsore at the moment, and a newborn baby. Is this something I need to be worrying about?? Obviously I don't want to pass a coldsore on to him, but fro reading these responses is there danger of him getting poorly from it?

[BrittaPerry]

I read a story in one of those take a break style magazines (so not sure how true it was) where a baby died after catching a coldsore.

[redspottydress]

I had a serious outbreak of coldsores when I gave birth to my twins four weeks early. No problems for the babies, and no concerns front any health professionals despite then being tiny and prem. Providing it is not your first outbreak your baby should have protection from you.

[oldebaglady]

it can cause respiratory problems in newborns AFAIK, not just a local sore.
it's rare for that to happen apparently, but it is different from the way adults catch it if they do get it

[sundaesundae]

There has been a case of someone getting their first ever coldsore, passing it to baby and baby died :( If you have had one baby will have some immunity due to your anitbodies, but it isn't a guarantee. Breast feeding helps, have very good hygiene and keep in mind it is a 1 in 500,000 chance of it being fatal according to my MW. I have never had a coldsore and it worries me. Apparently it is bad to get them in 3rd tri too.