Babies are made for snuggles and kisses. But if you or a family member or caregiver has an active cold sore?or even a history of cold sores?you?d be wise to use caution when it comes to kissing and caring for a baby under the age of 12 months. Serious complications, while rare, can develop if a baby contracts the cold sore virus. Here?s what you need to know.
What is a cold sore"
Also known as a fever blister or oral herpes, a cold sore is caused by a highly contagious virus called herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). (Genital herpes is caused by a different strain called herpes simplex virus type 2, or HSV-2.) It starts as a small blister around the lips or mouth but can sometimes appear on the nose, cheeks or chin as well. After a few days, the blister begins to ooze, then scabs over. It?s a very common virus?according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than half the population is infected with HSV by the time they hit adulthood (although they may not actually ever show symptoms), and most exposure happens between ages one and five. Once you?re infected with the virus, it stays in your body for life. How do you get a cold sore"
The virus spreads through saliva or skin-to-skin contact or by touching an object that was handled by someone infected with the virus. ?If you have a cold sore, don?t kiss the baby because it can definitely be transmitted to their skin,? says Roxanne MacKnight, a family physician in Miramichi, NB. She adds that the virus can be...