To be so worried about having a cold sore?

[TheUndoing]

I have a three month old baby and have developed a cold sore. I’m really worried about the risk of passing on the herpes virus and him becoming dangerously ill.

I tried contacting my GP for advice but was just told to speak to a pharmacist if I needed advice on managing a cold sore, which isn’t really what I was asking!

Does anyone have any advice or words of reassurance? I’m obviously trying to be scrupulous about hygiene but I’m just so worried about it.

I think the advice to speak to a pharmacist is good. They are very knowledgeable and will be able to talk you through the risks as well as available treatments. I had a review of my anti-viral meds with one just the other day which was a nice experience and we were able to adjust my treatment bearing in mind people I might be putting at risk.
I know the general line of thinking is that "doctor knows best" but it is other AHPs that are often more helpful for specific questions.

Thanks for responding to me. I don’t mean to come across as dismissive of pharmacists, my local one is brilliant. It was more that the GP practice seemed to think I wanted advice on managing a bog standard cold sore rather than preventing neonatal herpes.

If you suffer often take a lysine tablet every day. They prevent them from occurring as often and if you do get one they are not as bad

Don't kiss the baby ( obvious I know), wash your hands every time you touch your face, use compeed patches to minimise you touching it and it should heal quicker too

My friend used a device called a herpotherm, from Boots approx £30/40. It basically uses heat to treat the Coldsore and vastly speeds up recovery. She said it stings but certainly helps and she swears by it for fast treatment.

Have a look at the Lullaby Trust website. There was a charity called the Kit Tarka Foundation dedicated to neonatal herpes which I think is now part of the Lullaby Trust. They probably have some good info on their website for you.
It’s great you have awareness of this potentially being dangerous.

I tried that, it was awful. It just made it really hurt and didn’t seem to speed up recovery at all for me unfortunately.

Not really the purpose of this thread but I did find the GP will prescribe antivirals for recurrent coldsores though, which has been a massive help to me!

I 100% agree with the recommendations of taking Lysine as soon as you feel the onset of a cold sore, and using the Herpotherm pen and the Compeed patches especially at night.
Keep a 'kit' with a tube of Zovirax, small antiseptic wipes and a few of the Lysine tablets with you all the time.

I wore a mask when I had a cold sore when DS was a baby so he couldn't accidentally touch it

I was the same - got a cold sore the day I came home from hospital with both my babies. Think I spoke to a midwife / health visitor rather than a GP and they were the same in that they didn't really seem to get my concern.
I wore compede patches constantly until it went away so I couldn't accidentally touch it. Obviously didn't kiss baby and was using hand sanitiser constantly.
It's worrying because of everything you see online about young babies contracting herpes but as long as you're careful I'm sure you'll be fine x

Another vote for Lysine, I use it to prevent mouth ulcers & haven't had one in years. Amazing stuff.

Thank you all very much - I really appreciate it. My baby now has a small red mark next to his lip. I can’t tell if it’s just a scratch or if it’s the start of a blister. My DH is out and I just feel so panicked.

I would echo the compeed advice. My GP prescribed acyclovir tablets for me as I kept getting coldsores postpartum, after completing the course I didn't have another coldsore for over a year. Sorry that your GP isn't being supportive, it looks like boots offer online consults and prescriptions? Boots link

My daughter got the herpesvirus when she was 2 and it was absolutely horrendous!No idea where she caught it because I had never had one nor had my husband (subequently caught it off her ) but she was so,so sick for weeks with her primary infection....herpetic stomatitis couldn't eat,drink barely slept.It was a terrible experience and then developed a cold sore every fortnight for a few months following on.Doctors considered putting her in a prophylactic dose of Zovirax but went to a virologist who just said to give her a high dose of Zovirax initially when she developed one and to be fair,it hit the coldsores straight away.The liquid Zovirax is brilliant!

She is 7 now and very,very rarely gets one but it's very stressful when they are young as they can spread to eyes,nose etc if they rub their faces.Just take care is all you can do!

OP I feel your stress, DP gets them and I’m terrified he will pass them on to DC.

The good news is your baby is three months old, the most dangerous period is during the first four weeks, so in the event your DC does catch it, it will suck, but they will most likely be fine.

it sounds like you are doing everything in your power to avoid passing them on yourself. And that’s all you can do.

if you are worried your baby has signs of infection, monitor them and get them checked if you need to.

@TheUndoing info

you're contagious for a couple of weeks, be mindful.

Echo pp's, Zovirax, as soon as you feel the tingle, seems to speed up healing.

Ask your health visitor?

I had several cold sores when DS was a tiny baby. Compeed patches are amazing. They encourage quick healing, somehow stop the discomfort and keep them covered so you can't touch them. I also use aciclovir tablets. Doctor prescribed them for me because I had quite a few in a row but I have bought them from a superdrug pharmacy when I've needed them quickly.

I had a coldsore a few weeks ago just after my baby was born. She was only 2 days old. I was really worried however my health visitor didn’t seem too concerned as I hadn’t kissed her. It’s been a few weeks now and baby is fine! Annoyingly I’ve just had another outbreak of cold sores… joy! I’ve just bought some patches and will try not to panic unless I see anything worrying. Just keep an eye out and be careful. I’m sure he will be fine. It must happen a lot!

Where did you see a virologist? Having this issue with my 3 year old