Terrified I’ve given my baby a cold sore

[Solar20]

Sorry I didn’t know where best to put this and I’m panicking. My baby is 5 months old. I’ve always suffered from cold sores. I make sure not to kiss her on the lips. Earlier I was kissing her ears and head and then blowing raspberries on her belly. I’ve just noticed a cold sore on the front of my lip. I had no warning signs it just appeared. I’m so frightened she will get it. Should I go to the GP tomorrow? I’m quite anxious and have already been with a quite a bit so I’m afraid they’ll think I’m crazy. Any positive stories of people who experienced similar?

Definitely get advice from your GP. Ask if a course of antivirals, ie acyclovir can be prescribed.

For you, I'd take acyclovir preventatively. Get on a daily regimen of it.

I’ve asked before for acyclovir and they won’t prescribe it as a preventative. I was only ever given it when I had shingles.

wash your hands often and don’t kiss the baby, but I’m sure you know this. If the baby doesn’t feel well call the doctor but chances are she will be fine. While cold sores can be dangerous for babies, over 60% of overall population has the virus according to WHO, if it wasn’t you, the baby would have likely caught it from someone else later on please don’t blame yourself .

Thank you for your kind message. The thing is I’m regimental about anyone kissing her. My dad and my husband had cold sores recently enough and I wouldn’t let them touch her and here I am kissing her when I have one. I can’t believe I didn’t realise. I don’t always get the tingle but I usually have some warning sign but it literally seemed to go from zero to a sore. I googled it as saw it can be fatal for babies under 6 months. I can’t stop crying.

OP I mean this kindly - she will more than likely be fine but maybe speak to your GP about anxiety

The HSV virus passes mainly to lips and genitals as the skin is thinner, normal skin as long as it's unbroken is less vulnerable. The chances are baby is fine.

I absolutely understand how you feel, I have always suffered from cold sores and I've been paranoid about the chances of passing it on. Two husbands, fout children and eight GC and no signs I've passed it on. Ive hot my fingers crossed for you and please come back and tell us it's worked out OK as I hope that will be the result.

I'm surprised by that. Definitely ask GP again. (What about private pay?)Try not to worry or beat yourself up. 💐

Yes, thank you. I know it’s not ideal but she’s so precious to me (I know everybody is the same) that the thought of anything happening to her terrifies me. I worry so much about her.

I’m in Ireland and we have private health insurance but we still just go through our usual GP for healthcare. As far as I’m aware there’s no private GP as such. I asked for it during the later stages of my pregnancy because I was afraid labour would bring one on and I was told no. They don’t prescribe it as a preventative.

I am 65. My mum gave me the cold sore virus 65 years ago. I have had a few cold sores over the years but nothing more serious than that. I'm sure your baby will be fine.

Thank you that’s reassuring. I know it’s so common.