Herpes outbreak, and i have a newborn

[EmbarrassedNameChange1]

Regular poster NC out of embarrassment.

I know this isn't an AIBU, I apologise. I'm having a bit of a panic and hope to receive some reassurance so shamefully posting here for traffic! FWIW I will be seeking medical advice also.

I have had HSV1 (the oral type) for many years, I've had multiple outbreaks down below in this time. The last treated outbreak was when I was around 20 weeks pregnant, then nothing since before birth.

2 weeks ago I had my baby and had no signs of an outbreak at that time, but have just noticed what I think is an outbreak coming on now.

The hospital knew about my diagnosis and weren't concerned after the birth, but now I'm showing symptoms a fortnight later I'm worried about transmitting it (or having transmitted it) to my baby.

No current signs of herpes on baby, if I'm vigilant with hand washing after changing my sanitary towels / washing myself / wiping down below, she will be ok won't she? I'm scared to touch her now

Also baby was having regular blood tests before discharge for an unrelated reason and nothing was picked up then, it's primarily the here and now I'm concerned about.

I wouldn't be overly worried in your shoes OP just be careful as you've said maybe give HV a call if you're very anxious

So you have oral type herpes but on your genitals, not on your lips? I would speak to your midwife or call and speak to someone in the sexual health clinic, but I think you’ll be fine.

Herpes needs skin to skin contact to be transmitted. If you don’t have an active outbreak orally, I don’t think your baby will have a chance of being infected after birth. Or else we’d all be giving each other herpes on door handles. But I would still be careful with hand washing as you can pass things on like staph A and strep B that tend to also hang out in the vagina.

Thanks for the replies

That's correct yes, my diagnosis is HSV1 which is commonly found on the mouth but can be transmitted down below through oral sex, which is how I presume I came about catching it years ago.

As it's an old infection and not a primary outbreak my baby should have sufficient antibodies in her system passed on from me in the womb to protect her during the birth, I was just concerned about the potential of her catching it now from my hands as I have to regularly change sanitary towels and wash down below whenever I've been to the loo as I have stitches.

I'm probably being a bit too hypervigilant

Oh OP what a stressful situation. I would double check with your midwide/ GP/ Health Visitor but you sound as though you are being very careful which of course is the responsible thing to do. I had a similar problem in that my DH had a massive cold sore outbreak on his face about a week after DD was born, but the advice was to be super vigilant with hygiene etc which is what you sound like you are doing anyway.

You should take advice from a medic, not MN

I've tried multiple times to get hold of my health visitor today to no avail, I've left a message asking her to call me back but she always seems to be very busy

OP just make a GP appointment, you may be offers antiviral medication which will shorten symptoms and reduce possible transmission to DC. Good luck.

Your baby should have antibodies from you. I am not necessarily surprised that you have an outbreak, with the stress and lack of sleep of a newborn. I have the same, genital outbreaks from type I. As long as you are careful with washing hands, it really should not be a problem.

As an aside, I take l-lysine daily, and it has hugely reduced the frequency of outbreaks.

And congratulations on the new baby.

Hi OP, I have the same. Outbreaks during both pregnancies and post delivery. Hand hygiene to prevent transmission and I don’t think it can have been passed on at birth with a two week window. I was beside myself like you but researched a lot and was reassured. Consider chatting to your GP about acyclovir prophylaxis

Ps as a virus it survives only minutes on surfaces. Thorough hand wash is more than enough to kill any!