A grieving couple are warning other parents to be vigilant after their three-week-old baby girl died from viral meningitis, believed to have been contracted through a kiss.
Nicole and Shane Sifrit of Iowa City, welcomed their baby girl, Mariana, on July 1 before tying the knot one week later. The newlyweds were forced to leave their wedding celebration early, however, when they realised their daughter was no longer feeding - and was unresponsive.
"We noticed she stopped eating and wasn't waking up when we were trying to get her to respond," Ms Sifri told WHO-TV. "It immediately went downhill from there. Within two hours she had quit breathing and all of her organs just started to fail."
After being admitted to hospital, the Sifrits learned that their baby girl had contracted meningitis HSV-1 the same virus that causes cold sores. Both parents tested negative. It is believed the little girl caught the virus from a loved one with a cold sore who kissed or touched her after she was born.
According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis, an inflammation of the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord.
After a week in hospital, Mariana's condition deteriorated.
"There were days that she was more stable than others; she was a truly a fighter," Sifrit told Today. "She was still fighting and we had to fight with her.
"It then moved to her heart and lungs as her body started shutting down," she said.
In heartbreaking post to Facebook on Monday, the devastated mother shared that doctors were running out of options.
Mariana died on Tuesday, in her father's arms, aged just 18 days old.
"Our princess Mariana Reese Sifrit gained her angel wings at 8:41 am this morning in her daddy's arms and her mommy right beside her," Ms Sifrit shared on Facebook. "She is now no longer suffering .. 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."
"It is very common to catch the virus, but very rarely does it develop into meningitis," pediatrician Dr. Tanya Altmann, told CNN. "The first two months after a child is born are very critical, as a virus can rapidly spread and cause serious illness in newborns."
Dr. Amaran Moodley, a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases at the hospital where Mariana was treated, told The Des Moines Register, "My impression is there's some anxiety mothers feel, and I'd like to lessen that anxiety by giving facts about how babies get this infection." Dr Moodley noted that herpes simplex virus conditions are common and that more than half of the general public have been infected. By nine months old, most babies are OK if they contract it.
It can be spread before, during and after delivery and about 85 percent of babies who have the virus get it during birth, he said. For little ones who do contract it, Dr Moodley explained that it is typically contained to the ear, nose and mouth.
Dr Moodley suggests families practice the following tips:
- Ensure all caregivers and the mother are properly immunised.
- Practice good hand washing habits.
- Ensure that anyone who has an illness, rash, shingles or cold sores avoids close direct contact with a newborn
"If you have a cold sore, that is a risk, but mostly avoid direct contact," Moodley said. "I want to ease people's concerns about not kissing your baby."
As they grieve the loss of their daughter, the Sifrits are urging parents to keep their babies isolated.
"Don't let just anyone come visit them. Make sure they are constantly washing their hands. Don't let people kiss your baby and make sure they ask before they pick up your baby," Ms Sifrit said.
Mariana was the youngest of nine siblings, Ms Sifrit asking for prayers to help comfort her children in their grief.
The family will farewell their baby girl at a funeral service on Monday.
In 2014, Queensland infant, Eloise Pugh, died aged just 25 days old, also as a result of the common cold sore virus.
"I don't want parents to be paranoid, but it's something they need to know about," Ms Pugh told Essential Baby at the time.
"The majority of babies don't get it, even if they're exposed to the [cold sore] virus, and I know we had extremely unlucky circumstances. 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.
"Make sure you wash your hands and take care with hygiene," she said. "I wouldn't want anyone else to go through this.
Following Eloise's death, Professor Cheryl Jones, a paediatrician and infectious diseases specialist at Westmead Children's Hospital, told ABC Tropical Queensland that it is rare for babies to be infected with the virus. There are only around 10 cases per year in Australia.
Friends have established a Go Fund Me account on behalf of the Sifrits to help them cover medical costs. You can make a donation here.