Germs and 3 month old - Should I worry ?

[new mammy]

New Mommy with lots of ?'s, does anybody know if a baby can get sick from getting kissed on the cheeks or hands? for example my mother in law was holding him when she had a herpe in her lip and the baby touched her lip with his hand could he get herpes?

[AndiJ78]

Theoretically, yes. Make a rule that anyone with an active lesion or cold needs to avoid kissing or maybe even holding the baby until it had cleared up. My grampa used to get cold sores and when he had an active one, we just skipped the kiss goodbye until it was over. It seems to have worked, out of 18 grandkids none of us ever got it.

I would think that one exposure like that would pose little risk. Your concern would be an open, weeping, sore and a direct kiss. Even still I am not sure how much exposure would be needed to pick it up. Just remind her to be a little more cautious (your MIL, that is)

Andi

[AndiJ78]

Theoretically, yes. Make a rule that anyone with an active lesion or cold needs to avoid kissing or maybe even holding the baby until it had cleared up. My grampa used to get cold sores and when he had an active one, we just skipped the kiss goodbye until it was over. It seems to have worked, out of 18 grandkids none of us ever got it.

I would think that one exposure like that would pose little risk. Your concern would be an open, weeping, sore and a direct kiss. Even still I am not sure how much exposure would be needed to pick it up. Just remind her to be a little more cautious (your MIL, that is)

Andi

[flower2]

Nursing student- yes a kiss is all it takes. No open sore needed. Your dtg may have a tiny tiny scrap that is not visible. Also always remember wash hands. Also a baby is just beginning to build its immune system that will sustain her for life. I am sure all is fine now. But I would advise do not let her kiss anyone with herpes sores or any other obvious infection sites.