Got a cold sore day before my due date...

[samwitch28]

Hi ladies. This is more just to share unless anyone has some good advise. Of course...the day before I'm due (today)  I wake up with a cold sore on my lip. I have had them before so I know I have the virus. I have read that if I have had them I pass immunity onto the baby at birth. But I imagine that still means I can't kiss her and have to be very careful until this thing is completely healed. I have also read that cold sores can be extremely dangerous for newborns. I was up half the night crying mostly because after all this time carrying my baby, I can't even kiss my girl when she arrives. I'll probably have to wear a surgical mask to be extra careful. I know it sounds silly but it's breaking my heart and I am so mad. I don't even know why this happened. A cold sore normally comes on when I'm stressed. But I'm not! I have been home for work for three weeks! My stress level is so low! But I guess it could be from Sun exposure? So silly and unfair. Thanks for listening.

[Li83p]

I was due three days ago and also have a cold sore. This is a fairly common occurance for me. I use compeed cold sore patches on mine. It seals the sore to avoid contaminating anyone else. And also heals so much faster. I put the patch on clean dry lips. Then use my lip liner and a slick of lipstick as normal. My friends, family and colleagues often can't even tell I have a sore despite my lip being swollen-it usually feels much bigger than it looks due to the throbbing pain. I wouldn't worry too much I contracted the virus myself because my mum couldn't stop kissing me as a little one.

[ss_ss]

Tell your doctor! They can give you valtrex or acyclovir and get you cleared up really quick! I took acyclovir my whole pregnancy to prevent break outs - totally safe according to my doctor. The sooner you get treated the sooner you can kiss that gorgeous baby!

[babiMsmommy]

Working in the dental field,  we would tell patients to use sun screen and peroxide on the lips to prevent outbreaks. Usually we don't advise kissing your baby because the virus is still present in your saliva without an outbreak. In some infants,  the outcome has been deadly. Obviously,  I am not a medical doctor so you may want to speak with your physician about risks.

"In young babies, in particular, the herpes virus can spread to the brain and other organs, causing serious, potentially permanent or fatal damage."
-baby center