Contagous Cold Sore?

K.-

Herpes cold sores are very contagious and are very common. Considering your baby is 9 months old and their immune system is pretty established, they should be ok even if they contracted it. If they did contract it, the biggest frustration would be dealing with the breakouts.

Herpes cold sores are a very touchy topic for me. In the early 80s, my newborn brother contracted herpes from a nurse (she had a cold sore and had touched it and not washed her hands before she touched my brother) in the infant nursery at the HOSPITAL. Since his immune system wasn't fully developed (takes 4-6 weeks), he developed a high fever and died when he was 10 days old. I don't mean to alarm you, but Herpes cold sores are nothing to take lightly around a newborn! Again, your baby is much older, so I think they are ok but I would definitely talk to your SIL to confirm if she did have a cold sore.

Hello,

I would ask your SIL if this was a coldsore. If she says no, then no worries. Tell her you are trying to be cautious and not offensive. Your baby could end up with the virus and NO they don't go away...ever. It lives in the near the spinal cord when not active. This is why people continue to get them every year or however. I have a cold sore that comes out, I got it from a boyfriend when I was a teen. I was naive and didn't have a clue, well now I am 30 and still have the dang thing! It comes out periodically in the winter time. The situation freaks me out with my own children.
Your baby may be just fine, I think it may have to be seeping to catch it, although I am not for certain.
This is your baby and I am sure your SIL wouldn't intend on giving this to your baby if that's what it is. She may not know that it's contagous. I would voice my concern and precautions of I were you.
I would talk to her!
Good luck hope this helps!

It is my unprofessional belief that some people are more prone to coldsores than others. I get cold sores, and my husband and kids have never gotten them. I however did get them from my mom. So I guess I'm saying that just because he was exposed is not a guarantee that he will get one. Of course, when I have a breakout, I make sure that I don't hold my friend's kids. It's one thing to expose my own child, another thing to expose someone else's child.

I had the same thing happen with a day care provider and my son. As long as they don't make mucous membrane contact or say if your son had some kind of cut that she kissed things should be ok.

I was pretty freaked out about my experience as she obviously had a cold sore. My son is 24 now- no cold sores.

Ask your pediatrician.

I'm not a medical professional but I've had cold sores since elementary school and I have 5 children of my own who have not been infected. My oldest is 10 and my youngest is one. I kiss my children every 5 min and I never let a cold sore stop me. It is true that they are very contagious but during a certain point where the blister bursts and the virus is exposed. During that time is when I would refrain from kissing them. I would always kiss them on their forehead or cheek which is what I hope your sister-in-law did. It's only contagious if the virus is able to enter an exposed membrane(i.e. nasal passages, eyes, or the mouth) as opposed to the outer skin which is thicker and our protection against these things. I know this won't ease your worries because you are a first-time mom but talk to your pediatrician for a more detailed explanation.

I have had cold sores, and according to my dermatologist 95% of the population has been exposed and carries the virus. My kids have never had an outbreak. I have 2 little scar bumps on my lip from 20 yrs ago when I picked at them (yes its true, don't pick your acne or coldsores)so I wouldn't jump to conclusions with your SIL. If you are still worried you can always call your doc. Next time ask you SIL not to kiss your child and to wash her hands beforehand.

WIthout asking you really can never tell if its a cold sore or not. I still have acne which often breaks out right around my mouth and on my chin. It is not unusual for it to look like a cold sore, but I have been examined by a doctor who said it wasn't HSV. Bottom line - you can't tell by looking at people. If you want to know you need to ask your SIL or let it go.

Hi K.,

Call your S-I-L and talk about your anxiety about the situation.

Good luck. D.

K.:

Hello! To be honest, I think you are over reacting. I wouldn't freak out. The Herpes Simplex Virus is a virus that many people in the population carry. Whether or not you have a break-out is up to each individuals immune system.

The difference between HSV I & II is the location of the outbreak.

The HSV-I settles in the nervous system near the ear - causing break outs around one's face - primarily lips and mouth, however a break out can happen anywhere on the face and neck. Bottom line - the sores do NOT just show up on the lips, they show up on other parts of the face. Stress and how you react to it (Stress) is what triggers the virus.

The HSV II settles in the spine, therefore, the outbreak occurs in the only other mucousy area of the body. Either way - this virus uses "nerves" to erupt.

The virus is spread through mucous (saliva) coming in contact with an open wound/cracked skin. The virus is thought to be spread through "viral shedding" - this is when there is NO RECOGNIZABLE symptoms.

The incubation period for oral herpes is 2 to 12 days - from the time between contact and the appearance/outbreak. Since everyone's body is different - the symptoms can last from 2 -3 weeks.

If you are close with your SIL, you can ask her if she has HSV. But really - are you going to judge her on this? Your child can be exposed to the virus by someone who doesn't have a cold sore.

In the future, you can ask her PRIVATELY if you see an open wound and then ask her not to kiss your child with an open wound. Put yourself in her shoes - how would you want to be approached and what you want said to you?

DO NOT FREAK OUT. It's great that you are an observant mother! Do you want to deny your son playtime - which is priceless - because she has HSV?

Take care!

Cheryl

This happened to my daughter about 10 years ago. Her older cousin kissed her as a greeting on her cheek. Well, several weeks latter a sore began. I actually thought is was impetago on her face. She was admitted in the hospital when it started scabbing. It ended up to be HIV#1 Cold Sore. Her cousin was about 4 years older. In my case, I thought what good would it do for my daughter. I focused on her. However, she doesn't see this person very often. If she was a close family member I think I would of asked her if she was aware that she is contagious with HIV1. You have a small child not an adolesent you can teach. You should talk to her if you are sure it came from her. This situation will occur again and she should know how you feel. You must be gentle and kind. Don't get mad. Let her know she must be careful with your children. I wouldn't do that unless a dr confirmed she had a cold sore. Do you suffer with cold sores? It can be spread to our children. If all is confirmed, talk to your sister in law. Your daughter will be fine. My eighteen year old daughter know when she should start her medicine and has a wonderful life.
Hope I helped

dont think cold sores are contagious. you either get them or you dont. my dad and brother get them and no one else in the family does. no matter if we kiss them or not.

The sores do not have to be "seeping" to be contagious. Herpes can be transmitted from the cells "shedding" even before the person has a visible outbreak and after the sore has healed completely. Bonus: even if exposed, your baby may never show symptoms. The virus lives on the nerve endings. There's always a chance that even if your baby got the virus, which I doubt from a quick peck, he may never have a sore. But, if exposed to the sun (sun burn or if he gets really sick (lowered immune system) it can come out. You'll know right away. The first outbreak is usually the worst. There is usually a cluster of blisters during the first outbreak.
I don't think there's any reason to worry, though. But, as difficult as it may be to do, I would maybe try to fend off people who want to smooch on your son. I know it's hard, but I would just tell people you are trying to keep him from getting ill (colds, etc) since you have another one on the way. People will understand, especially family.
Good luck!

Cold Sores are contagious as they are caused by the herpes virus. Many people have the virus and are unaware that they do and some will never develop cold sores. I would keep my child away from anyone with an active outbreak as this is the time when the virus is most easily spread. No one wants to walk around with sores on their face so why unnecessarily expose your child?

Hi, K. - Hopefully, everything will be fine, but I certainly understand your concern. Yes, the virus is very contagious. I would hope that if your sister-in-law was experiencing a break out she would have been more aware & cautious. Have you ever noticed her with a cold sore before? As to whether or not you should have said something - it is over now; don't beat yourself up over it. If you run in to a situation like this in the future - sure - it is your baby & I see nothing wrong with saying, "Oh my gosh - here I go being overly protective again, but could I ask if you are prone to cold sores? May I ask you not to kiss the baby?" Your child has to be your priority! Relax & enjoy your baby; chances are he is fine. Good luck! N. B.

Hi K.. First I get occassional cold sores and I do not kiss my baby or daughter when I have them, nor do I let them drink after me etc. I think it is very important to be careful. Now that being said I found out that people do get pimples on their lips and they look similar to cold sores. I would talk to your brother if you don't feel comfortable bringing it up with your sil. It will put your mind at ease. I would hope that if she does get them she would no better than to kiss the baby on the lips. If she didn't kiss him on the lips he is fine.

The health of your child comes first. Forget people pleasing,and ask her. Tell her you are concerned about your child, and you have no intention on offending her, but need to know so that you can deal with it effectively.

K., while this may be the contact that infects your son, he may already have the virus from contacts with you or anyone else. Almost everyone has the virus, and it passes from one person to another quite easily. If he gets the virus, it does not mean that he will get a cold sore right away, later, or ever. So I would not freak out, and if a cold sore appears just remove the discomfort and wait it out. It will go away on its own.

Here's a link to a good article.

http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/skin_stuff/cold_sore...

My step daughter recently had a bad cold sore and continued to interact with my toddlers as usual and they did not come down with anything. I agree with the other replies, that it seems people are either prone to them or not. My husband gets them occasionally, I on the other hand, have never had one. I guess it is better to try to minimize the contact a child has with someone infected, but I always figure that they get exposed to a lot of germs just being out in the world, and atleast this time you know where the germs came from.

Since it was your SIL, I bet out of love for your baby, she wouldn't kiss you son if it was a cold sore. Most people know if they suffer from them. Also, during summer most people are covered in sunscreen most of the day. All that extra product on faces leads to breakouts in unlikely places like liplines. Also, have you thought about asking your brother in confidence so you could set your fears to rest.
Good luck!