Cold sores are common, and for new parents, understanding their potential impact on infants is important for a baby’s well-being. This knowledge helps parents protect their vulnerable little ones.
Understanding the Cause of Cold Sores
Cold sores are caused by the highly common herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). This virus is typically acquired through direct contact, such as kissing or sharing personal items like utensils or towels. Once contracted, HSV-1 remains in nerve cells in a dormant state for life.
The dormant virus can reactivate, leading to an outbreak. Triggers include stress, illness, hormonal changes, or sunlight exposure. A cold sore begins with a tingling, itching, or burning sensation, followed by fluid-filled blisters. These blisters often form on or around the lips, eventually bursting, oozing, and crusting over as they heal.
Why Cold Sores Pose a Risk to Infants
Infants, especially newborns, have developing immune systems, making them highly susceptible to severe complications if exposed to the herpes simplex virus. Direct exposure to HSV, such as through a kiss from someone with a cold sore, can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening conditions.
One severe outcome is disseminated HSV, where the virus spreads throughout the baby’s body, affecting multiple organs like the liver, lungs, and brain. Symptoms may include irritability, poor feeding, lethargy, or an unstable body temperature. Another serious complication is HSV encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that can result in seizures, neurological damage, developmental delays, or be fatal. Ocular HSV, an eye infection, can also occur, potentially leading to vision impairment or blindness if not promptly treated.
Preventing Transmission to Your Baby
It is important to avoid kissing the baby, especially on the face, hands, or any area they might touch and then put in their mouth, whenever a cold sore is present. Even if a cold sore is not visibly present, the virus can still be shed and transmitted.
Maintaining good hand hygiene is important. Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water, particularly after touching a cold sore or before handling the baby. Avoid sharing personal items such as eating utensils, cups, or towels with the baby. Covering an active cold sore with a bandage or a specialized patch can help minimize accidental contact and reduce the risk of transmission. For individuals who experience frequent cold sore outbreaks, a healthcare provider might prescribe antiviral medications, such as acyclovir or valacyclovir. These medications can reduce the severity and duration of an outbreak, potentially lowering the risk of transmitting the virus to others, and are most effective when taken at the earliest signs of an outbreak.
Recognizing Symptoms and When to Seek Help
Recognizing the signs of HSV infection in an infant can be challenging because early symptoms are often subtle and non-specific, resembling other common infant illnesses. One possible symptom is the appearance of small, fluid-filled blisters on the skin, eyes, or inside the mouth, though these might not always be present or easily noticeable. More general indicators of illness include an unexplained fever, unusual sleepiness, increased irritability, or a decreased interest in feeding.
Signs of a more severe infection can include seizures, difficulty breathing, or a bulging soft spot on the baby’s head. If an infant, particularly a newborn under 6 to 8 weeks old, exhibits any of these symptoms after potential exposure to HSV, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with intravenous antiviral medications are important for improving the baby’s outcome and reducing the likelihood of long-term health complications.