Coping with Toddler HSV 1

My husband started a cold sore a little over a week ago. I have never had the symptoms of one.  This past weekend we noticed that our toddler had swollen lymph nodes and he started refusing to eat. It wasn't until a few days later I noticed he had white blisters on his tongue. I took him to the doctor, hoping it was thrush and the diagnosis was his symptoms are viral.

Our son is in a lot of pain and won't eat. He is constantly spiking fevers and he's losing weight. He is, however, drinking enough to stay hydrated. I know this will clear up in a few weeks yet he will probably have cold sores for the rest of his life.

I know that as a wife I need to be supportive but I feel resentment towards myself and my husband for not taking the precautions necessary to keep our son uninfected. If anyone has experience with coping with this I would greatly appreciate input.

[kaoticblue87]

Are the sores also on his gums and roof of the mouth? It could also POSSIBLY be hand, foot, mouth disease...but like the title says, he would more than likely have little blisters on his hands and feet. Look up herpetic gingiostomatis (sp), that should be what it looks like if it is herpes.

[gracefromHHP]

About 1/4 of us contract hsv1 orally before we ever step foot into public school. It's very common.  I know as a parent it's hard not to feel bad in a situation like this when you know this could be oral herpes that at least one of you knows you have but really nothing you can do at this point.  Oral herpes for the most part is a nuisance and only time will tell if he even gets recurrences let alone how often he gets them.  It is hard to see your son in pain right now but concentrate on him at this point. Typically in health care we don't test the oral lesions in children for herpes to know specifically if it's hsv1 or a different virus. Coxsackie virus and other enteroviruses can cause these symptoms too and it is that time of the year.  

Give him tylenol every 4 hours for pain control.  If he's having problems eating, give his doctor a call back and ask for other recommendations. Even though he's probably too young to swish and spit some of the products like magic mouthwash ( yes that's really what it's called ), the pharmacy can make a solution of carafate, maalox and benadryl  for you to dab on his mouth sores with a q tip that will help with pain too.  If he can drink but just doesn't want to eat solids, pick up a box of carnation instant breakfast mix and mix that with his milk 2x/day for more calories than just water and juices ( make sure juices are diluted so they don't irritate his mouth sores more and don't give him diarrhea on top of all of this ).  

This will run its course and be much better in a week or so.  if he stops drinking fluids, be sure to call his doctor back.

Hang in there - just one of the many things as parents we have to watch our kids go through. So many germs out there in general to make them sick especially this time of the year :(

grace

[nymphadora]

Kaotic, he doesn't have sores on his hands or feet. Thank you for the reference though.

Grace, you just helped me find some of my strength. I appreciate you taking the time to help.