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Original poster

Aunt kissed baby on lips with cold sore

54 replies

Itswindy · 17/04/2022 17:31

I am absolutely beside myself. She never kissed baby before, let alone on the mouth, I have no idea what the hell possessed her. It happened too quickly before I could do anything. Baby is 6 months, I feel so sick and upset. The cold sore was at the crusted over stage.

How bad is this? Is it a given that my baby will be infected? My beautiful perfect baby, I'm crying ;(

OP posts:
AMBE123 · 17/04/2022 17:43

I'm so sorry, I can't imagine how upset and furious you must be.

It's not a given that your baby will get it, it depends how much virus was left, how much was transmitted and whether the virus managed to get into the body through the mucous membranes - if you washed the baby's mouth quickly you might be ok.

Can't believe your aunt did that ..

villainousbroodmare · 17/04/2022 17:45

Get some acyclovir cream, the normal cold sore cream, and put it on. I had this happen and it wasn't transmitted.

MJ123 · 17/04/2022 17:47

I'm sorry, you sound very distressed.

And it sounds very sudden for the aunt to change her approach- it doesn't sound like there was anything you could do.

Please remeber, your baby will still be perfect even if they do catch a cold sore.

Gemma77 · 17/04/2022 17:49

I've suffered with cold sores since I was a child and wouldn't dream of kissing anyone, let alone a baby, if I have 'live' coldsore.

If the cold sore has crusted over it's highly unlikely that the aunt has passed the virus on to your little one. It's when the sores are at the blister stage they are most contagious.

My dentist and hygienist both see me if I have a coldsore that has crusted over (but not if blisters still) as the risk is very low.

Hope this gives some reassurance x

Original poster
Itswindy · 17/04/2022 17:50

@AMBE123 we were about to get in the car and could only wash his mouth 30 minutes later, would that be too late?

I have health anxiety at the best of times, I can barely breathe

OP posts:
gamerchick · 17/04/2022 17:53

I'd go nuts me. There are creams though, not much use to you on Easter Sunday.

gamerchick · 17/04/2022 17:54

Cream first thing and a terse message to this person who's been a bit stupid.

Moochio · 17/04/2022 17:55

Why the hell did she do that?! I'm so sorry OP. Hopefully it will all be fine but I wouldn't let her hold your baby again.

DiscoBadgers · 17/04/2022 17:56

Whilst unpleasant, cold sores aren’t a danger to a 6 month old baby in the way they are to newborns, so don’t panic.

Roselilly36 · 17/04/2022 17:56

How bloody selfish, I would never be able to forgive that. I hope you baby is ok.

littlegiant · 17/04/2022 17:57

Please try not to worry. Have you wiped the kissed area, even a baby wipe for the meantime. I can empathise with your worry. I am the same disposition. I think you will be fine as PP's have said that the 'crusty' stage is less contagious.

TotallyTS · 17/04/2022 17:59

I'd be furious! I'm sure your baby will be fine but maybe get the stuff recommended above.

If your aunt doesn't know the risks then I'd strongly explain them. If she does, I'd make sure she knows what a dick she's been.

Original poster
Itswindy · 17/04/2022 18:01

Would the cream help prevent my beautiful baby getting infected? Or just stop cold sores from appearing?

Thanks @Gemma77 that's a little reassuring. Just feel so sick to my stomach, meant to meet up with her next week and honestly can't bear the thought at the moment, I'm so mad!

@villainousbroodmare was your LO kissed on the mouth too? At the crusted stage? How old were they?

I need all the positive experiences to get me through the next few days. How quickly do I need to hold my breath for? When will I know?

Just saw this article about a toddler who got it from a relative and had sores all around and inside her mouth and on her gums and was in agony and couldn't even eat. Are we going to go through such an ordeal? I have failed my baby completely

OP posts:
Original poster
Itswindy · 17/04/2022 18:03

She is honestly so lovely, kind and considerate so I guess just completely oblivious and got overcome by love for my LO that kissing seemed appropriate. I wish I could turn back time and stop it happening

OP posts:
gamerchick · 17/04/2022 18:03

@DiscoBadgers

Whilst unpleasant, cold sores aren’t a danger to a 6 month old baby in the way they are to newborns, so don’t panic.
It's herpes and you get them for life. It's nothing to do with how dangerous they are. It's irresponsible to kiss someone, anyone when you have an active coldsore.
Original poster
Itswindy · 17/04/2022 18:13

The article I read was about an 18 month old, who would have had more of an immune system as well, my baby is only 6 months old and so defenseless. I am going crazy ;(

OP posts:
tomatorich112 · 17/04/2022 18:17

I don't understand why anyone thinks kissing a baby on the mouth is ok.

I would have been furious, ask her if she enjoys suffering and why she would inflict that on your child for life?!!

Did you wipe it down straight away?

AMBE123 · 17/04/2022 18:20

[quote Itswindy]@AMBE123 we were about to get in the car and could only wash his mouth 30 minutes later, would that be too late?

I have health anxiety at the best of times, I can barely breathe[/quote]
It depends...was your baby eating in the car, or did they fall asleep and not lick their lips etc? So many variables. I would wipe the lips with alcohol wipes but don't rub, you don't want to break or dry out the skin and give the virus a better route in. Get some zovirax cream first thing tomorrow and put it on anyway. I'm no pharmacist or doctor but I know it stops the virus replicating so it might help and can't hurt. The incubation period is 2-12 days so you will probably know in a few days time. If your baby starts to get it, call your GP or NHS for advice.
I recently kissed my partner and they had an outbreak a few hours later, but I didn't catch their cold sores so try not to worry about it, it may well all be OK.

Original poster
Itswindy · 17/04/2022 18:21

I don't either! Even we don't kiss baby ion the mouth, I mean what the actual hell!

Oh god I didn't wipe it straightaway as I thought it was pointless so I have really failed my baby haven't i

OP posts:
Gooseysgirl · 17/04/2022 18:23

I'm so sorry OP, I would be f**king livid over this. WTF was she even thinking AngryPlease try not to blame yourself for this, it is absolutely not your fault.

Mamabananananana · 17/04/2022 18:24

Oh BLESS you OP
FFS!? Sad
call 111 for practical advice !! Just incase you use something too rough on Babys skin

I would be cutting ties with auntie ! Thats not PFB stuff im nealry barfing for you!! Sad

Hugs, hugs.

Kirstos1 · 17/04/2022 18:24

I think they are only transmittable if the cold sore is still at the weepy stage.

ColdSeptember · 17/04/2022 18:32

Calm down. The chances of your baby catching cold sores is low. Even if they do, it really isn't the end of the world. They're annoying and a bit unpleasant but really aren't the end of the world.

Your child is going to get illnesses and injuries during their young life, OP. I'd suggest you try and get some help for your anxiety because your reaction is way beyond normal. You risk doing far more harm to your child by being so overly anxious.

ColdSeptember · 17/04/2022 18:34

And your baby would still be beautiful and perfect.

JollyWilloughby · 17/04/2022 18:35

OP I felt compelled to read and reply.

This happened to my baby although mine was younger at the time. Looking back I also suffered from healthy anxiety and it made me feel ill for weeks after whilst I waited to see if he was going to be okay.

He was okay, he wasn’t ill at all. 💐 it’s going to be okay.

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