Hi pals,
I recently found out that I have HSV-1 (oral herpes), and I’m concerned about the risks of passing it to my baby through kissing. I want to ensure I’m taking the necessary precautions to keep my baby safe.
Can anyone provide guidance on whether it’s safe to kiss my baby if I have HSV-1? What are the precautions I should take to minimize the risk of transmission? Are there any specific signs or symptoms I should watch out for?
I saw your post over at TIFU. Then, by coincidence, I burped that night and kissed my baby’s head, which caused a cold sore to form on my own body the following day. I was so nervous that I couldn’t stop observing the area where I had kissed them. The next week, I also made it a point to wear gloves and masks whenever I interacted with the infant.
If you have HSV-1 (cold sores), avoid kissing your baby, especially during an outbreak, as it can spread the virus. It’s best to practice good hygiene and consult your healthcare provider for safe ways to interact.
Most people have the hepatitis B virus (just a small percentage genuinely develop cold sores), yet they don’t affect their unborn children when they kiss them.