Primary herpetic in child transmission to newborn

[Worriedmomoftwo]

Hello
My 4.5 year old son went to preschool for the first time Tuesday last week. By Thursday he had a hoarse voice, friday he had two blisters around his nostril and one on both hands. Saturday he had swollen sore throat and fever. Sunday he developed bright red spots on top and bottom of his inner lips. Maybe .5cm by 1cm on bottom right and right and left sides on top. I took him in Monday to pediatrician and she said either HFM or Herpes gingivostomatitis but leaning toward herpes because theres not really any HFM type spots (said hands look more like bug bites). Strep negative (he had it two months ago) She said he could have gotten hsv from saliva at school like another kid mouthing a toy then him touching it then touching mouth/nose or sharing utensils/food drinks. When I look online it seems like 50/50 people saying saliva is possible. He has never had hsv before. Pediatrician said sometimes Herpes gingivostomatitis happens during the primary infection.

All this background to say/ask..

Yesterday I was holding my 4 month old baby facing towards me, bending over to look in my 4 year olds mouth to see if the redness was improving. He ended up spitting/blowing a raspberry all over my face. I’m am very worried the spit got on my baby. I don’t remember if she was facing away but possibly facing toward the side toward him eyes /nose as she was kinda looking around side to side to see the noise in front of her. I’m so terrified she’s going to get herpes in her eyes. She also some some contact dermatitis on her cheek and cradle cap on her head. I worry she will get infected from his spit. Especially if she did turn her face near my face as I got spray with spit. Or sprayed on her hand then when I put her down to wash my face she put the saliva in mouth. How likely is this mode of transmission for herpes from my sons primary infection to her eyes/nose or face???

I am soo worried and reading and being told it transfer by saliva is really freaking me out.

Thank you

[Terri Warren]

Are you telling me that no testing was done of the sores that he had present?
I would say that while acquiring herpes from spit is biologically possible, I think it would be incredibly low risk, especially in the situation that you described. If I were in your situation, I would simply observe the little one for any apparent sores and take her in if there were some present. Honestly, we don’t even know if your son has oral herpes because no testing was done at least you didn’t mention any.

Terri

• This reply was modified 1 month, 3 weeks ago by Terri Warren.

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