| Posted By |
Message |
Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
|
? about cold sores and infants/kids
I had a BBQ at my house today and one of my friends had a cold sore on her lip. She wouldnt kiss anyone because of it but I was running around and so busy I wasn't paying attentiong but saw her holding Derek who is 9 mo. and playing with TJ who is 3. I know she knows better than to kiss them...I am just worried that Derek may have touched her mouth because he does that alot to me while I'm holding him. Can it be contracted that easily? It looked like it was healing so it was not open or new looking.
ETA: Is it dangerous for infants to be exposed to cold sores? I feel kind of silly I am thinking about this after the fact. I just didnt want to be a hyperchondriac at the time.
Message edited 6/13/2010 8:22:29 PM.
|
Posted 6/13/10 8:21 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
|
|
Re: ? about cold sores and infants/kids
I get them and my Dr. said that infants don't get them. However, our pediatician said to take all the usual precautions when I have one.
|
| Posted 6/13/10 8:29 PM |
| |
|
SKPtzu
Oh boys
Member since 6/08 1388 total posts
Name:
SKPtzu
|
Re: ? about cold sores and infants/kids
Yes, it can be contracted that easily. However, I'm sure your friend has had them for a long time and is very aware as to not to let your DS touch it. I've suffered from cold sores for as long as I can remember and even as a child, I was always very careful not to let anyone come in contact with it.
It is dangerous for newborns to be exposed to herpes. That is why women with genital herpes usually have csections. I think at 9 months, even if your DS was exposed (which I doubt he was), he would be fine...just suffer from them occasionally.
|
| Posted 6/13/10 8:33 PM |
| |
|
Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
|
Re: ? about cold sores and infants/kids
Posted by SKPtzu
Yes, it can be contracted that easily. However, I'm sure your friend has had them for a long time and is very aware as to not to let your DS touch it. I've suffered from cold sores for as long as I can remember and even as a child, I was always very careful not to let anyone come in contact with it.
It is dangerous for newborns to be exposed to herpes. That is why women with genital herpes usually have csections. I think at 9 months, even if your DS was exposed (which I doubt he was), he would be fine...just suffer from them occasionally.
Thinking back I saw her a couple of time kind of picking him up and talking in this face...KWIM??? Ugggh...I guess I can't worry about it now. I know she knows how contagious it is and wouldnt expose him unnecessarily.
ETA: If he was exposed, would he develop a cold sore right away or could it not show up for months or years or never?? I am not familiar with them, I have never gotten one.
Message edited 6/13/2010 8:38:00 PM.
|
| Posted 6/13/10 8:36 PM |
| |
|
SKPtzu
Oh boys
Member since 6/08 1388 total posts
Name:
SKPtzu
|
Re: ? about cold sores and infants/kids
Posted by jellybean1420
ETA: If he was exposed, would he develop a cold sore right away or could it not show up for months or years or never?? I am not familiar with them, I have never gotten one.
Any of the above. He could get one right away, or in a few years or never. I think stats are 80% of the population have been exposed, but only like 30% of those people have ever actually had a cold sore.
My DH has only had 1 his entire life. I used to get them all the time as a child, now I get them maybe once a year (except when pregnant, I had them more often)
|
| Posted 6/13/10 8:51 PM |
| |
|
Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
|
Re: ? about cold sores and infants/kids
I think your friend sounded very conscientous and would have been careful. And it's really more of sore has to touch broken or cracked skin, not just a brush up past it if your DSs hand touched it.
I can relate to your concerns though....I have never ever had one. Dh gets them. Well wouldn't you know it, DH got a HUGE one when DD was 2 mths old. I panicked....b/c the day before it came out he was kissing DD (on the head though). To be extra cautious, he did not handle DD until it healed over.
Was it oozing or crusty looking? If it's crusty looking odds are it isn't contagious anymore.
Message edited 6/13/2010 10:19:44 PM.
|
| Posted 6/13/10 10:17 PM |
| |
|
Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
|
Re: ? about cold sores and infants/kids
Posted by jellybean1420
ETA: If he was exposed, would he develop a cold sore right away or could it not show up for months or years or never?? I am not familiar with them, I have never gotten one.
Odds are at his age, he would get a cold sore not so much the worst case senario that we all fear....herpes that spreads into the nervous system. That is mostly with newborns.
My ped told me that if DD did come into contact with it (2 mths old, don't forget) first sign might be a fever, and within 3 weeks. Expose generally results in a sore or other anywhere from 10days to 21 days. So of course I kept close eye on her temps for about a mth....nothing ever happened thank GOD.
Odds are at your DC age, the would get a sore or reaction within 3 weeks b/c their immune system would not keep it in check like an adult's might. They don't show up in adults when exposed b/c our immune systems are strong enough to keep the virus under control, unlike a child's immune system, still developing.
Message edited 6/13/2010 10:25:10 PM.
|
| Posted 6/13/10 10:23 PM |
| |
|
Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
|
Re: ? about cold sores and infants/kids
Ive had about 4 of them since I got PG this time - rarely when I am not PG. I don't kiss Abby when I have them. She has never had one or any symptoms of them in her life.
|
| Posted 6/13/10 10:26 PM |
| |
|
Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
|
Re: ? about cold sores and infants/kids
Posted by Goobster
Was it oozing or crusty looking? If it's crusty looking odds are it isn't contagious anymore.
No it wasn't oozy or crusty...it looked like it was int he last stages of healing.
|
| Posted 6/14/10 6:50 AM |
| |
|
Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
|
Re: ? about cold sores and infants/kids
Posted by Goobster
Posted by jellybean1420
ETA: If he was exposed, would he develop a cold sore right away or could it not show up for months or years or never?? I am not familiar with them, I have never gotten one.
Odds are at his age, he would get a cold sore not so much the worst case senario that we all fear....herpes that spreads into the nervous system. That is mostly with newborns.
My ped told me that if DD did come into contact with it (2 mths old, don't forget) first sign might be a fever, and within 3 weeks. Expose generally results in a sore or other anywhere from 10days to 21 days. So of course I kept close eye on her temps for about a mth....nothing ever happened thank GOD.
Odds are at your DC age, the would get a sore or reaction within 3 weeks b/c their immune system would not keep it in check like an adult's might. They don't show up in adults when exposed b/c our immune systems are strong enough to keep the virus under control, unlike a child's immune system, still developing.
so it wouldnt just show up over night?
I am so MAD and UPSET with myself!!!! I know it sounds stupid but I feel like I shouldnt have let her near the baby. I am a hyperchondriac and have OCD so I really try to not get crazy all the time and I didnt want to hurt her feelings.
Of course DS woke up this morning and I was checking his lips and his bottom lip looks a little chapped like it has a crack and like a little red bump. Now I am thinking it could be a cold sore 
Message edited 6/14/2010 7:27:30 AM.
|
| Posted 6/14/10 6:52 AM |
| |
|
