Recurring Fears

[worriedparent2]

I have posted here several times over the past 7 years regarding fears of transmitting HSV2 to my daughter. I was diagnosed while pregnant with her, I do not remember the numbers, but the doctor said they were high, so it was not a new infection. I was given valtrex and labor was induced for me. They even broke my water and nothing happened, so about an hour later I had a c-section. When she was born she had irritated skin where her clothes would touch her. Later, she was diagnosed with exzema and when she was small. I never worried about the exzema because it looked just like what you would think. However, each time I have posted here it is when she gets single bumps on both legs that look similar to hives or bug bites. Because I do not have a clear understanding of all the ways HSV2 can present itself I immediately start stressing out that it is that. I have never had any kind of outbreak myself, which makes it even harder for me to understand what a typical one would look like.

This has happened maybe 3-4 times in her life. Usually in the hot summer months, but once in the winter. This time she had a spot on the back of each thigh, one on the front of her thigh, one behind her knee, and one on her ankle. Very itchy, no blistering or scabbing, and hard knots under the skin. If I lived in the Midwest I would say they are mosquito bites, but I live in the desert so that is not an option. I wish I could share the photos with you so you can have a better idea.

Can a baby be born unknowingly with HSV2 and it be so mild that it presents itself later in life?

Since we don’t usually test young kids, how do we know parents are not passing this to their children more?

Would an HSV2 outbreak present itself like I have described, on both legs as itchy bumps under the skin that don’t scab over? Could this be a full-body immune response?

[Terri Warren]

Babies who acquire HSV 2 at birth are sick. They can be pretty sick or very sick indeed or not make it. If your baby had gotten HSV 2 from you at birth, it would definitely be known. And her symptoms are not herpes related.

Terri

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