newborns and exposure to hsv1 or 2

Can a baby get hsv1 or 2 by being kissed on the lips or eyes? how else can a baby get hsv 1 or 2?

[gracefromHHP]

http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_oralherpes.cfm  is a terrific site for info on oral herpes.

newborns only get hsv2 from during delivery from a mother who is hsv2+.

grace

[herinfo]

how easy is it for a baby to get hsv1 from grandma (or aunt) with a coldsore (hsv1) which she has been getting for years and applies Abreva to stop it?

[gracefromHHP]

abreva doesn't really do much at all for oral herpes. it's way over priced for that teeny tube and barely got fda approval to say that it speeds the healing of herpes even.  

about 1/3 of us contract hsv1 orally by the time we start public school so indeed it's fairly easy for young children to contract hsv1 orally from caregivers.  It's recommended that no one kiss a baby under 6 months of age on the eyes, lips or nose area since many common germs are easily transmitted to babies in that age group.  adults should also never put a baby's bottle or their pacifier in their mouth to "clean" it.  

[herinfo]

Thank you for your clear, concise answers. i'll try to get further questions on the same thread per your guidelines. (or are they ok as is?)

[gracefromHHP]

keep asking questions as you think of them :)