Cold sore with a 3 month old

[Jmarie123]

Would love some advice 😭 noticed today I have a cold sore in my mouth and my baby is only 12 weeks old. I’ve been kissing her for days...obviously I’ve stopped now and constantly washing my hands but I’m so scared she might get ill. Searching online about it gives really sinister answers.

what do I do?

Watch and wait but am sure it'll be fine. I am a Coldsore sufferer and undoubtedly did what you have done - kidding their adorable little faces. Mine were fine. Try not to google everything. You will only find things to confirm your fears

Try speak to your GP or HV. More than likely, all will be absolutely fine but atleast your mind will be put at rest. Don't worry too much. There's nothing you can do!

Compeed do an excellent patch that you can stick over the coldsore until it heals. They're most effective if put on at the very start, but using them now might help give you peace of mind.

You only really need to worry about it for babies under 6 weeks old (and the NHS website says 4) - otherwise while they might catch ‘cold sores’, they’re highly unlikely to develop neonatal herpes which is the real concern. So even if your baby has caught the virus, it would be very very rare for her to become seriously ill. Hope that helps 😊

www.nhs.uk/conditions/neonatal-herpes/

I am a chronic coldsore sufferer, especially when tired and stressed so suffered awfully after the birth of both my children. My consultant told me that as a sufferer, I would probably have already passed on immunity when pregnant!
Also, the compeed patches are a game changer - stops you or baby accidentally touching it.

Thanks So much everyone, it’s really reassuring. Just keeping an eye on it but she seems fine thankfully

Get off google for one thing! It always highlights the absolute worst scenarios and mum nerves make this seems like it's absolutely going to happen.

You stopped kissing her as soon as you noticed, and you're being cautious with hygiene. That's absolutely the right thing to do.

Hope it clears up soon and you get more kisses in 👶

Hello, how is a LO?