Parents’ heartache as their newborn dies days after friend with a COLD SORE kissed tot
A US couple has said their 18-day-old baby has died almost two weeks after contracting the herpes infection through a kiss.
Nicole and Shane Sifrit took to Facebook to reveal that their daughter, Mariana, died in her father’s arms.
"Our princess Mariana Reese Sifrit gained her angel wings at 8:41am this morning in her daddy’s arms and her mommy right beside her,” the post read.
"She is now no longer suffering and is with the Lord.
"Thank you to everyone who has followed her journey and supported us through this.
"In her 18 days of life she made a huge impact on the world and we hope with Mariana’s Story we save numerous newborns life.
"R.I.P. sweet angel."
The couple had just exchanged vows with their six-day-old daughter in attendance when two hours later the newlyweds discovered she had stopped eating and was slow to wake up.
They rushed her to hospital.
"It immediately went downhill from there. Within two hours she had quit breathing and all of her organs just started to fail," Mr Sifrit
reports that Mariana had become infected with meningitis HSV-1, which is caused by the herpes virus.
Meningitis HSV-1 is a viral form of the condition which can cause encephalitis or swelling of the brain.
However, both her parents tested negative for the virus, meaning she got it from someone else.
Despite multiple blood transfusions, Mariana’s kidneys stopped working and her liver stopped functioning properly, causing internal bleeding.
WHAT IS NEONATAL HERPES?
Neonatal herpes is a herpes infection in a newborn baby.
It's caused by the highly contagious herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores and genital ulcers in adults.
Sometimes neonatal herpes only affects a baby's eyes, mouth or skin. If this is the case most babies will recover with antiviral treatment.
The condition is much more serious if it spreads to the baby's organs - almost a third of babies with this type of neonatal herpes will die, even if they receive treatment.
Babies are at risk if their mother had genital herpes for the first time within the last six weeks of pregnancy and had a vaginal delivery.
The risk is much lower if the mother had genital herpes a significant period before the pregnancy.
The herpes virus can also be passed on if a person with a cold sore kisses a baby or a mother breastfeeds while she has herpes sores on her breasts.
Symptoms:
- Tiredness
- A reluctance to feed
- Floppiness
- A fever
- A high pitched cry
- Breathing difficulties or grunting
- A blue tongue or skin
- Rashes
How can it be prevented?
If you're pregnant and have had genital herpes at any point tell your doctor or midwife.
Medication may be prescribed to prevent an outbreak and delivery by cesarean section may be recommended if the herpes has occurred for the first time in the last six weeks of pregnancy.
If you develop a cold sore or think you're coming down with a herpes infection do not kiss babies and wash your hands before touching a baby.
If you're breastfeeding and have a cold sore wash your hands before feeding and cover up any cold sores so you do not accidentally touch them.
The Sifrit family are now hoping to raise awareness of how dangerous herpes can be for infants.
"Keep your babies isolated, don’t let just anyone come visit them, and make sure they are constantly washing their hands," the Sifrits said.
"Don’t let people kiss your baby, and make sure they ask before they pick up your baby."
Herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, which causes painful blisters on the genitals and is passed on by sexual contact.
It is a chronic long-term condition, which can become active again.
MOST READ IN HEALTH
Neonatal herpes is a herpes infection in a newborn baby.
It's caused by the highly contagious herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores and genital ulcers in adults.
Sometimes neonatal herpes only affects a baby's eyes, mouth or skin. If this is the case most babies will recover with antiviral treatment.
The condition is much more serious if it spreads to the baby's organs - almost a third of babies with this type of neonatal herpes will die, even if they receive treatment.
A campaign has been launched to help the Sifrit family with Mariana’s mounting medical expenses.
A version of this story originally appeared on
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