A mother shared the horrifying moment when her one-year-old boy contracted herpes after he was kissed by a stranger who had a cold sore.
Charlotte Jones from Wales shared that her son, Ellis, started feeling sick one day, so she brought him to the doctor where he was thought to have tonsillitis or very bad ulcers.
However, his condition deteriorated very quickly within the next few days and he was soon diagnosed with herpes simplex virus, also known as HSV-1.
Source: pond5
According to The Sun, this disease isn’t harmful to adults but can be life threatening to babies with weaker immune systems. The virus can spread to the babies’ brains and cause multiple organ failure, which ultimately leads to death.
Charlotte shared several photos of how Ellis’ condition worsened over a few days.
“People really don’t realise how a kiss or a touch from someone with a cold sore can be life threatening for a little body,” she said.
“With temperatures reaching 40° nasal drips and two cannulas, two lots of bloods and numerous medication, no food for over a week and barely any juice via bottle.”
Source: the sun
Source: the sun
Source: the sun
“We’ve been lucky and Ellis is pulling through it like a boss. But for a baby with a low immune system the outcome could be very different.”
She then advises everyone against kissing babies or toddlers if they have any symptoms of a cold sore, and urges them to sanitise their hands before touching a child.
“In a week Ellis’s lips have changed so much, hes still got a way to go yet but is on the mend.”
Source: the sun
Source: the sun
Source: the sun
Herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, which causes painful blisters on the mouth or on the genitals, and is passed on by sexual contact. It is a chronic long-term condition, which can become active again.
Herpes is especially dangerous for babies under six months old and newborn babies because their immune systems are still developing. It’s caused by the highly contagious herpes simplex virus, which results in cold sores and genital ulcers for adults.
Sometimes neonatal herpes only affects a baby’s eyes, mouth or skin. If this is the case most babies will recover with antiviral treatment. The condition is much more serious if it spreads to the baby’s organs – almost a third of babies with this type of neonatal herpes will die, even if they receive treatment.
Don’t let strangers kiss your children, especially when you don’t know what kind of virus they are carrying.
Also read: Malaysian Father Warns Others After His Baby Died from Being Held & Kissed By Many People
