autoinnoculation of hsv 1 in a child?

[dld1992]

So the past week my 2 year old seems to have acquired oral hsv 1 at day care and has a little cold sore on the corner of his lip. It's been there a week and clearing up now. Luckily he wasn't bothered by it much. I'm just very concerned about him self spreading it to other parts of his body. He puts his hands in his mouth a lot so I freak out whenever he goes to rub his eyes or touch his private. I am washing his hands a lot but obviously you can't explain things like this to a 2 year old so I can't guarantee him not touching the sore then other places. Does anyone know what the likelihood is of transfer this way? Surely a lot more children would have ocular or genital herpes if it was likely? How long before he has protective antibodies against self spreading it? Months? Week's? Sorry if I'm sounding like I'm over-worrying since started a relationship with a hsv2 + partner I've Done lots of research and its on my.mind a lot, so I'm quite concerned about my little boy.

[dld1992]

Thanks for your help x

[Life360_Dave]

correct

[dld1992]

Okay thank you, just reading on the internet and many websites going on about washing hands to 'prevent your child spreading it to other parts of their body' but basically even if he was to touch his open sore then rub his eyes or genitals there's little risk? X

[Life360_Dave]

Most all ocular is from the virus traveling up the facial nerve not by touching and the genital really is of no concern either as herpes is passed by direct contact like oral sex.
Since a person needs to wait 3 month for conclusive testing i would assume that 3 months from contraction would have adequate anitbodies but this would be for adults not children. Its not the antibodies but the childs immune system that is the defense. And at 2 its not fully developed.

[dld1992]

Hello the doctor has looked at it and visually diagnosed it as a cold sore, it looks obviously like one and his other symptoms match. I'm in the UK and where cold sores are concerned it's pretty unheard of to get swabbed and tested for oral lesions. I think it's something like 90 per cent here so almost inevitable! I assumed it was day care he enjoys going round and giving kisses but I am hsv 1 poss myself orally so may I have unknowingly passed to him!
But basically I don't have to worry much about him spreading it to his eyes/genitals then? How long before he has protective antibodies?

[Life360_Dave]

Hi, you first should confirm this is in fact herpes. If it is, spreading to other parts of his body is not a real big issue for the mere fact thats its estimated that upward of 65% of the adult population would test positive for hsv1 oral and many many more children would have it genital or ocular as you mention and its not the case. Also most young cases are from the parents not so much from day care as more kissing goes on at home and it takes some rubbing kissing that only mom or dad would give.
Talk to your doctor about testing the baby but it would be best to have a sore swabbed within 24 hours after appearing.