Mum begs people not to kiss babies after her girl is left in agony after contracting herpes from a cold sore
A MUM has warned people not to kiss babies after her daughter contracted a strain of herpes from a cold sore, leaving her seriously ill.
The woman shared her story with paramedic Instagram page Tiny Hearts.
She revealed it was unknown how the youngster contracted the virus. “We haven’t been around anyone with an ‘active’ cold sore,” she said.
“But let’s be honest, babies put anything in their mouths.
“I cannot express enough the importance of good hygiene for those who suffer from cold sores and to be particularly mindful when you are around little ones.
“No baby or mum should ever have to endure this.”
She told how her daughter had been taken to acicdent and emergency twice, receiving pain medication, but it would likely run its course in a fortnight.
“It’s now been over a week since my baby has let solid food touch her lips,” she said.
“All my baby wants to do is suck her thumb and she can’t even do that.
“Literally there’s nothing I can do to take her pain away.
Tiny Hearts said: ”[This little girl] is struggling to drink water because she’s in so much pain from blisters that have completely covered her mouth as a result of the cold sore virus.
“My heart absolutely breaks for this family. [My little girl] got the virus at around the same age and I can honestly say it’s one of the most horrendous things to go through.
“They can’t eat, they can’t sleep, they refuse medication because it causes more pain… they lose weight, they become dehydrated and can become really sick.
“I’ve spoken about the importance of normalising the sentence ‘don’t kiss my baby’ and although it’s unknown where little Ari picked up the virus, this is your reminder that protecting your little one with some simple rules will hopefully avoid this nightmare, and many other contagious viruses.
“Prevention is better than cure so:
“Educate your loved ones about the dangers of kissing a baby, ensure exceptional hand washing of you and everyone else, limit bub's exposure to crowds and anyone with a cold sore or the virus, don't let your little one share drinks, cutlery or toys and don’t allow anyone to put their fingers in bubs’ mouth.”
The HSV-1, cold sore or herpes virus, can easily be passed onto babies and toddlers through something as simple as a kiss and can prove fatal.
Herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, which causes painful blisters on the mouth or on the genitals, which is passed on by sexual contact.
It is a chronic long-term condition, which can become active again.
There are two types of herpes - HSV 1 and HSV 2 - which enter the body through the moist skin of the mouth, penis, vagina and rectum.
Both types can cause cold sores on the mouth, genital herpes, whitlows (small abscesses) on the fingers and hands.
Herpes is especially dangerous for babies under six months old and newborn babies because their immune systems are still developing.
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“All my baby wants to do is suck her thumb and she can’t even do that.
“Literally there’s nothing I can do to take her pain away.
Tiny Hearts said: ”[This little girl] is struggling to drink water because she’s in so much pain from blisters that have completely covered her mouth as a result of the cold sore virus.
“My heart absolutely breaks for this family. [My little girl] got the virus at around the same age and I can honestly say it’s one of the most horrendous things to go through.
“They can’t eat, they can’t sleep, they refuse medication because it causes more pain… they lose weight, they become dehydrated and can become really sick.
“I’ve spoken about the importance of normalising the sentence ‘don’t kiss my baby’ and although it’s unknown where little Ari picked up the virus, this is your reminder that protecting your little one with some simple rules will hopefully avoid this nightmare, and many other contagious viruses.
“Prevention is better than cure so:
“Educate your loved ones about the dangers of kissing a baby, ensure exceptional hand washing of you and everyone else, limit bub's exposure to crowds and anyone with a cold sore or the virus, don't let your little one share drinks, cutlery or toys and don’t allow anyone to put their fingers in bubs’ mouth.”
The HSV-1, cold sore or herpes virus, can easily be passed onto babies and toddlers through something as simple as a kiss and can prove fatal.
Herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, which causes painful blisters on the mouth or on the genitals, which is passed on by sexual contact.
It is a chronic long-term condition, which can become active again.
There are two types of herpes - HSV 1 and HSV 2 - which enter the body through the moist skin of the mouth, penis, vagina and rectum.
Both types can cause cold sores on the mouth, genital herpes, whitlows (small abscesses) on the fingers and hands.
Herpes is especially dangerous for babies under six months old and newborn babies because their immune systems are still developing.
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Meanwhile, a dad issued a heartbreaking warning to all new parents after his baby girl died of herpes at three weeks old.
And this mum has issued a harrowing warning warning after her newborn baby died from herpes at eight days old.