Please Help! Grace???

[concern210]

I am a new mom with a 5 month old baby girl. When she was just 7 weeks old I was diagnosed with hsv-1. My husband had transfered to me during oral sex just a week prior. During the primary outbreak i had NO IDEA I was dealing with hsv-1. I scratched myself SO many times and although I know I washed my hands before handeling my child, I know there were times when I didn't! Running to her from the bathroom if she was begining to cry, I changed her diaper in the middle of the night after scratching, tickled her face to put her back to sleep... I am totally consumed with the possiblity that I may have transfered this to her unknowingly. She has shown no signs of infection and she is healthy and amazing and I just need some guidence. I can't sleep and I just need some knowlege when it comes to this matter so I can focus on my child and not comsume my life wiith this any longer!!
Is it possible to spread hsv-1 thru hand contact, changing a bum or tickling a nose. Does it just take a touch or does there need to be rubbing or friction to spread? Please Help!!

[gracefromHHP]

genital herpes is called a sexually transmitted infection for good reason - we have to have intimate contact with someone in order to transmit it to them. We don't have that sort of contact with our children.

your baby would be at risk for oral herpes from others around her, not your genital hsv1.  http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_oralherpes.cfm  is a terrific link for down to earth, common sense type advice on how to deal with oral herpes.  

get your rest!  you are chasing around a 5 month old baby!!!!  you need it!!!

grace

[concern210]

Thank you Grace,

It has been very hard time becoming a new mom and finding out you have herpes all at once. The only thing I care about is my daughters safety! The research I have done since my OB has spoken of baby's immunity for the first 6mnths. This is from the antibodies she received from me- if she was exposed to the virus is she protected or do these antibodies only tie her over until her little system can deal with the infection?  

[gracefromHHP]

her immunity for herpes is just about gone unless you are still breast feeding her.

she's never been at risk for your genital herpes anyways!!!  

make sure her dad reads that link I posted for you on oral herpes too :)

[concern210]

I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!
THANK GOD I could not have passed this onto her by touch!!!
You have no idea how much you have put my mind at ease and if you have anymore info/thoughts on protecting baby and living w herpes I would much appreciate!
I am so looking forward to being a good mommy instead of thinking I caused her harm!
Thank you Grace, again and again!

[concern210]

I know you said that my baby was not at risk for my genital hsv-1 but could she be at risk if the virus was passed thru me touching lesions(then her) at the time of my primary outbreak?

[concern210]

sorry for asking another question... I know you can self infect during primary outbreak which is why I am wondering about the above question

[gracefromHHP]

you really did not have loads of virus on your hands that you could touch someone and infect them with. she also would've had symptoms by now.

[concern210]

If herpes is spread to another part of the body during the primary outbreak (eye) would symptoms occur during that primary outbreak or shortly after or can they appear months later? Would the symptoms be hard to miss? Or is it very evident if herpes is spread to the eye?
Thanks

[gracefromHHP]

it would've been when you were infected there.  

think about it - most people you know have at least 1 type of herpes in their body. how many people do you know with herpes infections in multiple places? it just isn't that easy and thankfully doesn't happen often.

[concern210]

So I am pretty sure I am experiencing my second outbreak, thing is I'm not 100% sure!
I am very ichy and I have 3 little bumps on my labia. Very different from the primary outbreak. I am aware that it's not as severe but does this sound like a second outbreak?
Also, when I was checking down there I used one of my fingers that had a small cut on it :( didnt think I was dealing w another outbreak. I washed my hands immediately are the chances of it spreading still possible?
Thanks in advanced for your response!

[gracefromHHP]

definitely start a round of antivirals to cover your bases since it could be your herpes.  I'd also make an appointment for friday or monday to be properly tested for yeast and bacterial vaginal infections. things are hard this week due to the holiday.

your hands are not an issue from this sort of contact.

betsy

[concern210]

I was pretty convinced that I was never going to have another outbreak- thought with hsv-1 chances were slim, obviously I was very wrong! I have been using a steroid cream for the last week 3x a day for eczema could this have had something to do w the possible herpes outbreak? I read it may contribute.
Also, what are the chances I will continue to have regular outbreaks now that I have had a second?

[gracefromHHP]

steroid cream on your genital area?

another ob the first year is very common. no need to think that you will have regular ob's now because you've had a 2nd. You also need to rule out vaginitis, the changing hormones after childbirth makes them more common too.  

[concern210]

no, not on my genitals- I have been applying it all over my daughters body for her atopic dermatitis.
lots of it! so i was just wondering if being absorbed thru my hands could have triggered it? is that even a possibility or am I just over thinking things?

[gracefromHHP]

ok then the steroid cream is not an issue.  

like I said this isn't unusual at all. just one more thing to drive you nuts while caring for a young baby :)

grace

[concern210]

Is there still a possiblity that I can catch the hsv-1 virus orally even tho I have it on my genitals?

[gracefromHHP]

having hsv1 on one body part, gives you significant protection against contracting it on other body parts.  anywhere from 1/4 - 2/3's of folks who contract hsv1 genitally, also contract it orally around the same time.

[concern210]

So it was confirmed by culture back in November that I was experiencing another outbreak, it was very mild and more annoying than anything, gone within a week. My problem is that since then I have been experiencing a constant itch right where the recurrance occured. it is totally bizarre- I have been treated for a yeast infection and uti infection but that was over the phone diagnosis as per my symptoms. Could this be hsv-1 prodrome symptoms? Could it be the hormones from child birth as well as the herpes?I just want my vagina to be back to normal!!
Thanks in advanced for your always awesome advice!!

[gracefromHHP]

time to go and be seen and get properly tested for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally at this point.

grace

[concern210]

my daughter has eczema and I am worried about eczema herpeticum. She is so little still and comes into contact with so many other kids and people- I just want some cold hard facts on the possiblilites of her contracting eczema herpeticum. Her eczema is mainly on her face. Would it just take a kiss on the cheek to pass the herpes virus to her eczema? Or is it trasmitted to ones self by a cold sore to an eczema patch by touch? How common is this? does there need to be open sores on her face or can she still contract it thru the lil eczema dots she get's before her skin flares? I want to protect her but how do I do this?!? my husband get's cold sores, could he still pass this to her cheek by a kiss even if he has no visible signs of a cold sore.
Another thing for me to worry about.. Please help!!

[gracefromHHP]

  http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_oralherpes.cfm  has terrific info on precautions to take for oral herpes in general.

I've seen eczema herpeticum twice in 25 years of pediatric nursing in a major teaching institution. it happens but not a lot.

[concern210]

Hey Grace,
My cousin just kissed my daughters face a few times kissed her on a big scratch that she had close to her eyes. Then in the same breath said she had a cold sore starting in her nose. I washed my baby's face and used hand sanitizer over the cut. Is my daughter at risk w this sort of contact. I honestly had to blurt out don't kiss her again cuz she was going in for another kiss. Should I be worried??? I washed her face within seconds.

[gracefromHHP]

it's low risk in general.

why not email your family member the oral herpes info from ashastd-  http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_oralherpes.cfm  ( the site has been having problems this weekend so if it doesn't come up for you, check back in a day or two to see if they have it fixed ).  Sounds like they could use some info on oral herpes!  

[concern210]

would it even make a difference if I washed her w soap and water and used alcohol? Just so I know.