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Original poster

Cold sores and kiss on cheek - help!

12 replies

worriedaf · 30/07/2019 18:41

Am I being paranoid? I have a 3 week old dd, and today I went out with some friends for coffee for the first time. When we were saying goodbye, one of my friends kissed me on the cheek and I froze and didn’t refuse even though she had an active cold sore on her lips.
I am now really worried and don’t want to kiss my newborn baby in fear I’ll pass it on to her - even washed my face with fairy liquid when I got home! Blush
Can I spread it to my dd or am I being silly?! What would you do? How long should I wait to make sure I didn’t catch it?! Help - first time mum.

OP posts:
TheChineseChicken · 30/07/2019 19:34

Ugh, why would someone with a cold sore kiss you?! Can you go to a pharmacy and get some cold sore remedy - it should be effective before the infection takes hold (I think but could be wrong)

Knitclubchatter · 30/07/2019 19:37

As an adult you’ve probably developed an immunity. The herpes simplex virus is very common.
Unless you have open skin unlikely a peck on the cheek would lead to problems.
Your baby should be fine.

Original poster
worriedaf · 30/07/2019 20:34

Thank you for your replies, I’m fuming they kissed me on the cheek and fuming I let them!!

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0-3 months old Antenatal & postnatal Babies & sleep Families
higherforce · 30/07/2019 21:08

You pick up all sorts of germs daily. s long as it was not on your lips, I'm uncertain how the virus could be contagious. You yourself may already have the virus in your body. It is very common. You may touch or shake hands with someone with an active coldsore - how is that different from your cheek?

I can see you're worried and newborns are very precious but they'll come into contact with the virus sooner than later. Seriously, it's very common. And not everyone who cones into contact is susceptible to developing coldsores. I'm not sure why. I occasionally have them if the weather turns cold but my partner and children have never had a coldsore despite close contact with me.

Original poster
worriedaf · 31/07/2019 11:09

Thank you - I’m just terrified. I think this is a manifestation of the anxiety that I’ve been feeling lately. My husband is going back to work next week and I don’t think I am able to take care of my baby by myself. I’m feeling really down and this is just the cherry on top of the cake.

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Gustavo1 · 31/07/2019 11:16

Try not to worry about the cold sore OP. I get them myself and have had 3 newborns, none of which have ever had anything from me. I almost always get a sore after the stress of labour too so babies have been ‘exposed’ very early.
As with the other anxiety, do you think you need some external support? I’ve also felt like this when my husband has had to go back to work but soon discovered that it doesn’t matter how well dressed we are or how clean the house is, just that baby is fed and cuddled.
If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it.

Original poster
worriedaf · 31/07/2019 18:08

Thank you - I think I do. I’ve been in tears all day and I think it’s because I had a horrible experience with labour and I am feeling very fragile at the moment. The cold sore was just the last drop that made me lose it I think. I am quite anxious in general but pregnancy, labour and now taking care of a newborn, being sleep deprived and feeling a bit useless is making me feel miserable.
I will try and talk to the GP about it. Thank you x

OP posts:
Gustavo1 · 31/07/2019 18:51

@worriedaf, It’s not unusual at all to be anxious about being left alone. I understand that it feels like a big responsibility and when you’re tired, sore, emotional and hormonal, it feels really daunting. I hope you can get some support. If you have any relatives around, use them to take baby for a walk around the block or just some company whilst you adjust to being alone with baby. Also, please do remember that housework, cooking and other aspects of the daily grind don’t matter. Snuggle and feed baby and remember to eat and drink yourself and you’re 99% of the way there! Sending lots of BrewCake and Flowers

Original poster
worriedaf · 31/07/2019 19:17

I will do, I only had a slice of toast all day. I can’t eat because I’m sick with worry that I’m damaging my baby already. It’s crazy. I really appreciate your kind words, and I will get help before it gets worse.

OP posts:
Gustavo1 · 01/08/2019 18:05

Hey op, have been thinking of you. Hope you’ve sought some support x

Original poster
worriedaf · 07/08/2019 15:32

Thank you - sorry I only saw this now. I had family visiting which really cheered me up and I managed to get out of the house by myself with the baby a few times too and I’m feeling much better and more confident with her. People have said I am really calm and relaxed with her, and a good mum, and it has really helped to see their perspective.
I’m quite active and love doing stuff even if it’s just going to the shop, so I think it is quite frustrating for me to be in all the time. A friend is making me go for a quick lunch / trip to the park or even run errands with her (and the baby of course!) so I feel a bit more busy.
I also joined the peanut app and been chatting to other mums and will start meeting some soon. I’ll mention all of this to the GP when I go for my 6 week check soon but I think I’m much better now x

Thank you again for your kind words x

OP posts:
Pennythoughts28 · 25/08/2023 16:59

I know this is old but I'm in same boat and was wondering did you get a coldsore 🙈

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