Coldsores may not be harmful to adults, but the herpes virus that causes them can be very serious for babies. In some cases it's fatal.
Portsmouth mum Amy Stinton wants to raise awareness about the common virus after her 14-month-old son Oliver caught the herpes virus. Posting a photo of the youngster covered in painful red blisters on Facebook, Stinton issued a warning.
"This is what happens to babies when in contact with a cold sore. Oliver now has the herpes virus and will have this for life," she wrote.
"Think before you kiss a baby next time."
Stinton says that when the rash first appeared she thought it was Chickenpox, but when it got worse she took Oliver to hospital for help. The 30-year-old mum isn't looking for someone to blame, however she does want people to be more aware.
"It could have happened months ago as he was run down when it appeared. Just a shame he will always have it," she wrote.
The post has now been shared more than four thousand times and has attracted numerous comments from people who have shared Stinton's pain.
One Facebook user said that her daughter also got the herpes virus: "My little girl got this and is exactly the same. Her arms blisters up randomly and she loses her little fingernail every time it comes back. It's so dangerous for babies!" she wrote.
"Honestly feel for you… my [daughter] was 18 months when this happened to her it [grew] in her throat [as well] so watch out with that," wrote another.
An update from Stinton on September 15 showed that Oliver was still very sore, but "better in himself."
While Oliver will recover, not all babies are so lucky.
In November 2014 a Queensland baby girl died when she was just 25 days old after contracting the virus.
Devastated parents Sarah Pugh and Doug Lampton shared their story following newborn Eloise's death in a bid to warn other parents.
"The majority of babies don't get it, even if they're exposed to the virus, and I know we had extremely unlucky circumstances," Ms Pugh told Essential Baby.
"The specialist said he only sees about two cases a year. But it can happen, and parents should know that it's something to be aware of."
In another case, newborn Eibhlin Wills died from the herpes virus last November after contracting the virus in the Irish hospital where she was born.
Eibhlin's devastated parents John and Louise have since started a campaign to raise awareness about the risk posed by coldsores. They want information about Herpes to be included in maternity welcome packs and in antenatal classes.
The Remembering Eibhlin website shares the following advice:
- If you or another visitor has an active cold sore DO NOT kiss the baby until the outbreak is healed. If you feel the tingle/other sensation of one coming on take this precaution also.
- Use a physical barrier (e.g. topical cream/plaster) while the cold sore is active as a way to reduce the risk of transmission.
- Ask visitors coming to see your baby if they have (or recently) had a cold sore.
- Ask visitors and hospital staff if they have washed their hands prior to touching your baby.
- Tell medical staff if you have a history of genital herpes so extra precautions can be taken towards the end of pregnancy/during birth.
- When breastfeeding, if there are herpes lesions on the breast (which can occur after touching a cold sore and then the breast), express and discard the milk. Use formula until the lesions on the breast have healed.