Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Cold sores possibility

13 replies

m33r · 28/02/2015 21:55

Hoping I'm being paranoid here but...

I'm 37+2 and dh has a cold sore (he gets them sometimes but this is the first in the pregnancy). Anyway, tonight, he had a piece of my dessert using his own spoon. I then ate from the same bit of the dessert - using my own spoon. So my questions are: 1. What are the chances of me getting a cold sore and if so how quickly will it come out? 2. Are there any issues with this in pregnancy?

I have googled and it seems that if I did get my first ever cold sore, this would be bad ???

... Just as I thought I was becoming less paranoid!!

OP posts:
MuddyWellyNelly · 28/02/2015 23:20

This suggests it could be serious if you catch it, although it sounds like a very low risk to me. However I'd suggest a conversation with your MW, and if she shrugs her shoulders as mine probably would, perhaps see your GP. I don't know how long it takes for the virus to become obvious.

In addition, if you do catch it, one thing to be aware of is that you must be incredibly careful not to kiss your baby if you have an outbreak, as it can be fatal for them. The first time I read about it, I was horrified that something so seemingly mild could have such serious consequences. As a cold sore sufferer it's something I'm a bit worried about.

applecore0317 · 28/02/2015 23:27

You can make your midwife aware of it and also make then aware that you have recently had one when you go into labour. My consultant said that there is treatment that can be given to prevent it being passed onto your newborn

Original poster
m33r · 01/03/2015 08:57

Thanks both. Crossing my fingers that I haven't caught it and am just being paranoid as it seems like an awful thing to have.

Can the virus cross to the placenta or is it just for when LO is born I need to worry?

Sad
OP posts:
Slongette · 01/03/2015 16:17

I think possibly genital herpes are an issue giving birth.

I've had a cold sore during both pregnancies (on my face) and no one has mentioned anything.

A friend who is a midwife and was on duty whilst I was giving birth to DS1 did not come into the delivery room any further than the door and was on desk duty as she had a cold sore.

Liquoriceallsort · 01/03/2015 17:27

It's the genital herpes that can be passed on through labour. Surely thousands of pregnant women have coldsores?

Original poster
m33r · 01/03/2015 19:05

I hope so liqourice but Dr Google is making a song and dance if it's your first ever cold sore and if it's in the third trimester... Tbh, I was hoping to be told I was being ridiculous but that doesnmt seem to be the case???

I have Mw tomorrow so will find out then and post.

I should add, I don't actually have a cold sore. Worried I get one OR have the virus but no symptoms.

I am a riduculous human being!!!

Thank you for replies!!

OP posts:
hippymama1 · 02/03/2015 09:47

m33r - hopefully the MW has set your mind at rest by now but as a life-long coldsore sufferer I can reassure you that the odds of catching a coldsore from a piece of cake that has potentially touched the spoon of another person who has a coldsore that may have toughed that spoon are probably less likely than you winning the Euromillions! It's not to say it can't happen of course, just that it is extremely unlikely...

I have full on snogged the lovely face of DH when a coldsore has started to appear (before I've realised) and at the end when it has nearly healed and he hasn't caught them... I'm sure you will be fine. I hope you feel better! Smile

Original poster
m33r · 02/03/2015 10:20

Thank you hippy. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. It really helps to know that I probably haven't even been exposed.

MW appt at 1120 and waiting for gp telephone appt ...

Thank you again x

OP posts:
hippymama1 · 02/03/2015 10:56

No worries - everything crossed for you Smile x

skinnylegs33 · 02/03/2015 11:09

Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus (the type that causes genital herpes can cause cold sores too and the other way around)
Surely if your dh has had this before you would have contacted it by now.
On my 14th week I got 3 cold sores on my lower lip, one next to the other. It was horrible, something to do with a weakened immune system I supose. I get them every few years. My husband never had one.
www.herpes.org.uk/coldsores.html

skinnylegs33 · 02/03/2015 11:12

Btw, you wouldnt catch it now by eating from the same cake, not even if you used the same spoon.

Original poster
m33r · 02/03/2015 12:05

Thank you skinny! Very helpful link.

MW said not to worry since it's unlikely to catch cold sores that way and also they only really worry about genital herpes.

GP said the same thing but added that I had probably been exposed to the virus before and was therefore not prone. Again, said genital herpes would be a problem but not mouth and also don't kiss babies with cold sores.

... So pretty much what had been said on here but wanted to update.

Thank you all so much for your replies!

OP posts:
Liquoriceallsort · 02/03/2015 21:55

Glad it worked out ok Smile

New posts on this thread. Refresh page