can a baby have cold sores?

[bookswapper]

my 11 mo old as a sore on his lip and spots both sides of his mouth and on his chin.

now he is getting his next tooth, a wickedly sharp canine, and I thought these were teething spots but my mum thinks he has a cold sore/herpes from a dirty dummy...

feel like the world's worst mummy...can they even get herpes at this age?

is there any treatment?

yes they can, and if this is first infection then he may well need some anti-virals as the first time they get cold-sores can be rough going.

flames little dude got cold-sores as a teeny (about 6mths IIRC), so she would be able to tell you more.

what do you mean SMc?

oh....dirty from the floor probably...no-one else sucks those dummies! No=one in the family has an active cold sore at the mo...I'm not sure I've ever had one...

If this is a coldsore - I am assuming it will be his primary (i.e. first) infection.

If it is he is likely (although not guranteed) to have the follwoing symptoms

1. a very high fever (39+ isn't uncommon) - usually prior to the blisters
2. Mutiple ulcers in/aroudn his mouth - which you do describe
3. Generally very unwell. As well as the fever he is likely to be lethargic.
4. Very swollen glands in the neck and abdomen

TBH what you describe could be coldsores - but is very different to my experience. If it is coldsores please take him to GP and beg for anti-virals. They have to be given within 24-48hrs of first blister though to be effective.

Another possiblity is hand foot and mouth. Similar oral symptoms - but also blisters on the palms of his hands and soles of his feet.

It's not impetigo is it?

It's just I had it as a small child, and it was around my mouth.

He doesn't have any symptoms similar to 1,3 and 4. And he has had the first blister for longer than 48 hours by the time I get to the doctors.

i'm off to google impetigo

Tomorrow is my last day at work for three years and it looks like I will have to cut it short...they really know how to time things don't they?!

Have replied to your CAT - my experience was like SMS's though - I remember her going through it after me.

It IS impetigo!
Oral antibiotics and cream for 7 days.

Poor wee mite!

Oh, poor little boy. Hope it gets better soon.

Make sure the rest of you don't catch it either.