Baby Caught HSV-I from Daycare!?

[icegurl470]

My 10 month old had been playing with her bottom lip for awhile, figured it was a symptom of teething (in the last couple month shes cut 4 teeth). She woke up one morning with a big blister on her lip. Took her to the Dr and he said it's a coldsore. The thing is, I've never had a coldsore. In fact, I was tested for both types of the virus that cause coldsores when I was pregant with her and I was negative. He said she could have got it from daycare, sharing spoons, slobbery toys, kisses, etc. I was shocked. He assured me it was no big deal. the majority of people get coldsores and most of those people caught the virus when they were kids. I cant help but be upset though.. Especially since she's still nuring and I could get it on my nipple?! I have enough issues. Plus I plan on having another baby in the next yr or so. I would hate for it to spread to my newborn.. Cant that be fatal? I'm kinda freaking out. Any advise?

 

[MindUtopia]

Please try not to stress. The herpes virus that causes cold sores is so, so common. Most of the population has it and actually, I'm surprised that you don't have it. Actually, I'm not even entirely sure you would have been tested for it in pregnancy, more than likely you were tested for HSV 2, which is most commonly the one that causes genital herpes and is considered a sexually transmitted infection. It's a risk factor in birth if you have an active genital herpes infection because it can spread to baby's eyes during birth and cause blindness (which is why they often test you for it if you don't know your status). But HSV 1 is something most of us got as children. You don't need to have ever had a cold sore to be infected with it. It's totally normal and something most children will get at some point, so try not to worry. I can be more serious in very young babies, but at 10 months, your LO likely won't get anything more than a bit of cold like symptoms with it. So try not to worry. It might spread to you if you kiss her on the lips, but it can't spread anywhere else in this case. HSV 1 can sometimes cause genital herpes if someone has oral sex with an active cold sore outbreak on the mouth, but it can't spread to the nipple. More than likely, it will just be a bit sore and unpleasant for a couple days, but should go away just fine. It's also worth noting that there's something called impetigo that babies and children often get that also looks a lot like cold sores, so if she gets more, I'd take her back to see the doctor just in case.

 

[Laura27]

80% of the population has HSV1 and 25% of the population has HSV2, it's so common and very misunderstood!! A lot of the time the first outbreak is the only one, and then it lies dormant. I have HSV1 (downstairs!!) and all I've ever had is one ulcer, like a mouth ulcer, which went after a couple of days and nothing ever after that! I likely got it from DH who has oral HSV1. Seriously nothing to worry about, it's actually the same virus as chickenpox and shingles and loads of other things, just different strains!

 

[Itsychik]

I'm with you... I FREAK OUT when people who have cold sore outbreaks get anywhere near my kids. I know which friends have kids who get them and I am paranoid about my kids putting their kids' toys in their mouths (my youngest is only 10 months and puts everything in her mouth). I'm not sure where the OP is from, but I'm from the U.S. and I'm living in Europe and I've found that most Europeans are relatively 'relaxed' about getting cold sores (where as in the U.S. growing up, I didn't know anyone who got them, and here in the Netherlands I barely know anyone who doesn't!).

Shortly after I had moved to the Netherlands my MIL 'kissed me' (in NL they greet by kissing cheeks) when she had an outbreak and a week later... I got my first cold sore. I didn't even know what it was! In the 8 years DH and I have been together the only real fight I've ever had with my MIL was after my DS was born and she was babysitting when she had a cold sore and I basically blew up about how she was never careful and she had given the virus to me for the rest of my life and how I didn't want her putting her face anywhere near my DS... and we have a rule with friends and family that they're not allowed to hug or kiss our children when they have a cold sore outbreak. A lot of people get offended (because kissing is a big part of their culture) but my kid, my rules. Also, the blisters aren't limited to the lips. I've gotten them on my chin and (most often) in my nose, (and I have a friend who gets them on her cheek).

So I wanted to say that I would share the same concerns about not wanting a sibling to catch it either. I think the "best" you can do in the future is just make sure that whenever your DD has an outbreak, to try and keep her face away from siblings, thoroughly clean utensils she has used during that time, etc. I would also talk to the daycare and tell them your concerns and ask how often they're cleaning their toys (I know it could happen the same day and that the toys get used so often that those types of viruses could spread easily, but I still think it couldn't hurt to bring it to their attention).

I've also heard it could have serious complications for a newborn (but I don't know how true this is) but I would discuss that with your doctor before freaking out. Regarding breast feeding I would probably freak out as well but I have no idea if it can spread that way, but I would wash off my breast/nipple after feeding her. But that may just be me being paranoid again...

So sorry you're going through this!

 

[mummytobe_93]

I had a friend who wouldn't let her MiL anywhere near her daughter for months because she had a cold sore. I can understand not kissing them and washing hands but think that's way too far.

I get cold sores rarely maybe once every three years and I don't see the big deal. I know it's the herpes virus but I think most people I know have the virus. I can understand not getting close to a new born but it's not a big deal, it really isn't x

 

[Laura27]

It's such a misconstrued virus and really isn't a big deal. It is rarely dangerous and is so easy to pass from person to person. The virus can be present on the skin with no outward symptoms so keeping "active" people away only minimizes the risk of contracting. Short of keeping kids in bubble wrap there's not much you can do!

 

[x__amour]

How upsetting. Unfortunately HSV1 is SO common and SO easily spread these days. DH gave me cold sores and fortunately we have not passed it onto DD or DS because whenever one of us have one we NEVER share, kiss, nothing.

 

[icegurl470]

Thanks everyone! It's sunk in a little bit and I've come to terms with it. From what I here the first outbreak is the worst and she only has the one sore on her lip, no fever, swollen lymph nodes or mouth soreness, so I'm grateful for that. She is in a big daycare and has been sick a few times, unfortunately, despite being breastfed. I would love not to have to send her to daycare but I have a great job and it would be foolish to give it up. From what I understand she would have gotten it eventually anyway and I'm obviously still going to continue to nurse her and be close to her, so I will have it too. Surprised I didn't have it already. I usually visit with family once every couple weeks but I've been holding off in fear of spreading it to my sister's baby who is 6 month older. My sister stays home with her and shes a bit protective, so I have the feeling it may be kinda awkward and tense when they're playing together for awhile.. I'm sure she will eventually become accepting though. As all of you and her dr have said. It's really no big deal.