Can I pass on my cold sore to my baby?

[boomba]

So I have a cold sore for the first time ever! It showed up last night!
I googled it, big mistake, and it said not to have close contact with infants when you have one?
Is this a major health reason cause I am BF and I am always in close contact with DS! Also he is becoming more curious with his hands and nearly grabed it today!

I am really worried now if I am going to make DS sick?

Can someone put my mind at ease?
Thanks x

[aussienic]

I have just had one also.. Just be careful not to kiss your son and wash your hands frequently just to minimise the risk..

he should be fine..

[Visitor7]

Like nic said, just keep your distance from him as they are contagious.

[Roryrory]

I gave coldsores to Flynn - DH was not impressed! be careful.....

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

Yes, you can pass it on. You should keep breastfeeding, though. There are treatments that can greatly reduce the severity of coldsores, especially if used quickly at the first signs, and are compatible with breastfeeding. Looks like you will have to do the crash course in coldsore management. Rodney Whyte, at the Monash Medical Centre drug information line 9594 2361 is a great person to talk to re any medications/treatments when you are breastfeeding.

Barb

[Tobily]

I don't want to frighten you but you do need to be careful. I've had coldsores all my life, when my DD was 7months old I passed the virus onto her (being slack and assuming that by that age if she was going to get it she would have had it) and she ended up with them in her mouth and throat. She got them again at 18 months because the virus was now in her system (stays there for life), and after 9 days of barely eating or drinking she had to go into hospital and have a drip. Those nine days were awful, she did nothing but cry all day long. Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Thankfully she hasn't had it since.
I've been more careful with DS and he hasn't caught them. I wonder also if he is getting antibodies from me as he is still breastfeeding, DD wasn't when she got them.
But yeah the first exposure is usually very unpleasant so wash your hands constantly and don't let bub touch. Cover it if you can. It's most contagious during the blister stage and just after the blisters burst.

[boomba]

Thanks girls,
Have been really carefull not to kiss or let DS touch my face!

A question though, I had a blood test at about 20 weeks and it showed I had come into contact with the virus does that mean DS has it already?

Hopefully it will go soon, thanks again for your help!
x

[Barb Glare]

Well, you won't know, but if he has no sores you'd have to assume not.

Barb

[belfie]

Just to add to this thread - I've got a huge cold sore too, so i rang Rodney as advised to the previous poster by Barb.

My goodness what a lovely fellow! He made me feel as thought there was absolutely NOTHING better he could be doing right now than answering my query. Just lovely and so informative. Wow, dealing with someone like that just puts a smile on your dial!