Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Pregnancy

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

3 weeks to go & got a cold Sore? really worried!

7 replies

jkb · 09/03/2009 17:38

Hi

I dont know if any of you have seen on the news etc.. recently about the risks of newborns dying if they come into contact (eg: kissed/breastfed etc..) by someone with a cold sore?? A poor lady just a few weeks ago was in the papers with the headline - kissing my baby killed her! The lady got a cold sore 3 weeks before birth..thought nothing of it... must have kissed her baby & the baby dies at 9 days old.. the herpes took over the childs body!!
Now im not sure of the details.. i know this lady had NEVER had a cold sore before & so when she got it with 3 weeks to go, there was not enough time to pass immunity to baby & hence baby got it & died... I have had cold sores occasionally since I was little...so will I have passed immunity on?? Or would I have needed to have one early on in the actual pregnancy to pass the immunity to her???? Asked GP today & pharmacist..neither of them had a clue it was even dangerous [angrey]!!
Where do I find out? Im very concerned

OP posts:
Sugarkane · 09/03/2009 17:44

Hi I saw this on This Morning a few days ago, I went on their website and they gave this link, hope this helps. www.herpesalliance.org

mersmam · 09/03/2009 17:49

There are a couple of threads on this (I started one yesterday!) so you should have a look through them.
From what I can gather, if you've had cold sores occasionally since you were little that means you have had the virus since then and will have passed on immunity to your baby.
That seems to be actually the SAFEST situation, as your baby will be protected if he/she comes into contact with the virus - so I don't think you need to worry at all (although I think the advice says you should still avoid kissing your baby if you have an active cold sore).

jkb · 09/03/2009 17:56

How can herpes simplex spread to an infant?

HSV is most often spread to an infant during birth if the virus is present in the birth canal during delivery.
HSV can also be spread to the baby if he or she is kissed by someone who suffers from coldsores.
In rare instances, HSV may be spread by touch, if someone touches an active cold sore and immediately touches the baby.

How can herpes harm a baby?

HSV can cause neonatal herpes, a rare but life-threatening disease. Neonatal herpes can cause skin, eye or mouth infections, damage to the central nervous system and other internal organs, mental retardation, or death. Medication may help prevent or reduce lasting damage if it is given early.

How can I protect the baby after birth?

A baby can get neonatal herpes in the first few weeks after birth. Such infections are almost always caused by a kiss from an adult who has a cold sore. To protect your baby, do not kiss him or her when you have a cold sore, and ask others not to. If you have a cold sore, wash your hands before touching the baby.

found all the above on the link... all the rest was about herpes down below (which I do NOT have)... its still a bit vaague though.. I mean, hopefully my cold sore will be gone by the time she comes.. but in sections it says the virus can stay active for time after?? so im just going to have to NOT kiss my baby or not touch my mouth & touch her !! how hard is that going to be!!

OP posts:
Sugarkane · 09/03/2009 18:09

Oh JKB im so sorry I wasnt implying that you had genital herpes just thought the link may help a little. Sorry

jkb · 09/03/2009 18:11

oh sugarkane... i wasent thinking u said that.. not atal... i am very very happy for this link xxxxxxxxxxx

OP posts:
PlumBumMum · 09/03/2009 18:13

My mother tells me often how she had a big cold sore when I was born and she couldn't kiss me, hopefully yours will be away by the time your baby is born

btw I've never had a cold sore so reckon she must have passed on some immunity

Sugarkane · 09/03/2009 18:14

Oh good had myself all in a panic then, think im just extra sensitive today LOL

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread