Panicking

[mistermaker22]

Visited 2 week old this morning. I'm sitting here now feeling really rough and with the tingles of a coldsore. What should I do? Tell parents right?

I washed hands thoroughly before picking up the baby. I think I might have given her a little kiss on the head but I can't remember.

Really worried now.

Wouldn’t it only be a problem if you had an open sore though?

I thought it's most contagious before? And my cold sores tend to erupt pretty quickly after the initial first tingles.

After the death of a baby, recently, This Morning covered this subject. It is still a danger if there isn't an open sore.

Just mention to the Parents what your symptoms are.

If you get cold sores, don't kiss children on the face, it isn't fair.

My Mother gave my three and one year old cold sores, it was hell for them.

I know I feel like such a bloody idiot. I just didn't even think because I haven't had one for years. I'm an idiot.

Why are you kissing other peoples babies anyway??

She might not get a cold sore, mistermaker22. It's one of those things that isn't always passed on to another. As you say, you may have lightly kissed the baby on the top of the head (but aren't sure) and presumably the little one will be washed fairly regularly. Plus your 'tingles' have only just started.

Don't panic.

What would telling them do though? Is there a treatment? Or do you just mean you would tell them in the interests of honesty?

I am not being obtuse I just don't know what exactly the benefit of knowing your child may one day get a cold sore will be

Why are you kissing other peoples’ Babies?? What a stupid comment. Is nobody other than blood relations allowed to kiss a baby, @cheeky??

Well they would be able to look for signs if they got poorly for a start.

Wow clearly I am ignorant! A child died? Oh my goodness. So is there something that can be done If the parents know?

I think that potentially you were contagious but much less likely to have infected baby than if you already had tingling/actual sore. I’d phone the parents so they can keep an eye out and phone midwife/HV for advice. I can see why that would be a difficult call, but it’s not your fault if you felt fine earlier today, FWIW my older child got chickenpox when my youngest was 10 days old and she didn’t catch it. MW told me that she would have my immunity as newborn and breastfed but don’t think that applies to HSV.

Ok i've just had a Google and based on what I now know I would say tell them so they can look for signs. It sounds like the first episode can be particularly nasty. I Would personally wait and check that you actually do come out with a cold sore firat though so as not to cause them unecessary worry. It's a shame but it wasn't deliberate and hopefully the baby will be unaffected.

If you get cold sores, don't kiss children on the face, it isn't fair

Many more people in the world carry the virus than don't. You can pass it on without having a cold sore, you can have the virus and not (
and never) develop a cold sore. You could easily have it (likely do) and have no idea.
It's roulette. And luckily complications are very rare.

Will call them in the morning

Try not to panic I know how awful things can be when ur around babies if them are ill. I was visiting my niece then went to see my friends newborn only to find out the next day she had chickenpox. I felt terrible and had to tell the mum/friend. What was worse was she was a total germs phobia so knew she would be worried. As the baby was only born she was still in the hospital and she spoke with the nurse was told very unlikely baby could catch it but always best to check with midwife as the likelihood of something happening is minimal but at least they can look out for it.

Please just give them a heads up. My own son has a medical condition that started at 3 months old. The first symptom was a prolonged seizure that lasted 40 minutes...one of the 1st things they asked when we arrived in a&e was if he had been held by someone with the coldsore virus and potentially kissed by them - he had. Fast forward a few months and we learnt he has a rare epilepsy disorder but at the time of his first seizure he then required a lumbar puncture and anti viral IV therapy just incase.

So while you probably have not passed on anything, heaven forbid that little baby ends up in hospital unwell and these parents do not know about this. It is important, you know you should tell them or you wouldn't be worried.

Ah, sorry, should have read full thread. You already said you would call. 🙊

Of course people kiss babies on the head.

MN is a different planet sometimes.

I never have and never will kiss someone else's baby and nobody has ever kissed my dd who isn't me or her dad. No family has ever even gone to they give her lots of cuddles stroke her her hold her little hands but nobody has ever gone to kiss her on the face or head the most I've seen mil and my own dad do is blow her a big raspberry on her tummy or back or pretend to eat her feet to make her laugh all of which are totally fine with me. I guess everyone's different but I know I never liked being kissed as a child there's no need esp now with all the warnings and information we have.

Please don’t kiss babies knowing you get cold sores, that’s just unfair.