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Scared may have transmitted hsv1 to my infant and preschooler
I have suffered with oral HSV 1 for nearly 30 years and my biggest fear has been the possibility of transmitting it to one of my kids, and I am now fearful that it may have happened. On Sunday, 12/16, I had a tingling feeling on the inside lining of my lower lip, which I assumed was my body's response to eating acidic fruits. Then on Monday morning (yesterday), I felt nothing. While I was eating breakfast (oatmeal), my preschooler asked for some and I gave her a few bites using the spoon I had been eating from. Shortly thereafter, we went into my bedroom and I picked up my 2 month old and kissed her on the cheeks and ears. Immediately after kissing her, I licked my lips and noticed that the skin felt different in one area on my bottom lip right beneath where it had been tingling the day before. When I looked in the mirror, I noticed that the skin was red and looked irritated and raw, but it did not hurt and there were no blisters. I kept watching my lip throughout the day and by mid day, it was still red, so I started messing with it and kind of poking at it. In looking in a high magnifying mirror, I began to squeeze on the reddened area and was able to break the skin open slightly and squeeze out some clear liquid. I then put some over-the- counter medicine on the area. No blisters have since appeared and the area that I squeezed has formed a slight scab. My husband thinks I am crazy, as he never saw any blisters, but I am freaking out and cannot sleep because I am scared. Can someone please provide with some information regarding the likelihood of me having passed the virus to my two kids under these circumstances. I should also note that I am breastfeeding my 2 moth old -- I am hoping that there are still antibodies in my milk or left over from delivery that will protect her from any type of transmission. Thank you in advance for your help!
Best Answer
probably half her class has a runny nose and fever right now. It's that time of the year.
I've taken care of babies as young as 1 week of age with cold sores and no complications. Thankfully for the vast majority of children that contract oral herpes it's a nuisance, not a health risk :)
I've taken care of babies as young as 1 week of age with cold sores and no complications. Thankfully for the vast majority of children that contract oral herpes it's a nuisance, not a health risk :)
Thank you for your quick response! In the event that the virus was spread to my 2 month old, would it be life threatening at this point? Also, do you know if the skin on an infant's check is as strong as the skin of an adult, such that the risk of transmission is lessened?
Also, my preschooler came home from school today with a runny nose and a slight fever. Is it possible that this is a symptom of her body attempting to fight off the virus? This would have been 1 day post possible exposure.
I'm sorry to pepper you with questions, but I can't stop worrying about it. I can't sleep or eat, just in constant fear and upset with myself for putting my kids at risk!
Also, my preschooler came home from school today with a runny nose and a slight fever. Is it possible that this is a symptom of her body attempting to fight off the virus? This would have been 1 day post possible exposure.
I'm sorry to pepper you with questions, but I can't stop worrying about it. I can't sleep or eat, just in constant fear and upset with myself for putting my kids at risk!
over 50% of this country carries this virus. It is not deadly as a rule and my mom, both my kids had blisters, I never have. I am sure i carry it....life is short...no worries...take care
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
when you have any sort of "trauma" to the oral area - biting your lips, sunburn, rough teeth cleaning - it can trigger hsv1 orally to shed. It's always something to be thinking about when you have anything going on orally and also when otherwise ill ( we don't call them cold sores for nothing ).
your 2 month old is at most risk but you did the right thing - not kissing her on the lips or eye area. those are the areas most vulnerable to infection. sharing food with your other child isn't a big risk either.
I know it's easy for me to say not to worry yourself too much but odds are that they haven't been infected.
grace