Worried about cold sores and young son

[Flowers5000]

Hello and thank you for your help. As far as I am aware, I have never had a cold sore in my whole life. I randomly got tested when I thought I may have had my first one when I was pregnant with my son (too much Google) but the swab of the area (kind of a cut in my lip) was negative and a blood test also came back negative, although I am aware these can be erroneous.
My son is 12 months old. This morning I was kissing his face and cuddling as per usual. However, when I went into the bathroom, I noticed a bump with a white head just above my lip. It wasn’t quite touching my lip, but on the skin just above it. It wasn’t sore and I didn’t feel anything at all before I saw it. As I said, it had a white head, which seemed to come off when I scraped my teeth over it. Does this sound like a cold sore or are they always blister-like and more clear? I am a nervous mother and may just be over-reacting. However, I am worried that it may be a cold sore and I could have passed it onto my son, especially as I kissed his eyes (have briefly read about occular herpes). I also kissed his belly after I changed his diaper. The change was finished so the kiss was on top of his onsie. Is this any type of risk? I see from a previous post that the window period for me to see something on him is about 2-10 days? Is this the case?
I am sorry that I sound quite irrational.
I was just wondering if you thought this spot sounded like a cold sore and if I have put my son at any risk. And also, what to look for and the time period if in fact there has been some risk.
Thank you again.

[Flowers5000]

Hello. I am sorry to badger you, I was just wondering if you could give me some advice in relation to my question above when you get a chance? Thank you so much for your time.

[Terri Warren]

You describe what sounds like a little pimple, not a cold sore at all. Cold sores blister and normally don’t have white in them as pimples do. I know you are worried, but I think this is not needed. If you really want to know if you have HSV 1, you can get a herpes western blot, to be certain and our clinic can help you with that. I would rely on those results.
If it was a cold sore, which I don’t think it was, kissing his tummy through a onsie is NOT a risk.
I’m sorry about your post – it seems to have gotten lost somehow on this board. Please let me know if you have follow up questions, OK?

Best
Terri

[Flowers5000]

Thank you so much and no need to be sorry – you are so very busy by still find time to provide such a wonderful service. So grateful for that.

Just a final question to help me understand this condition. I am taking my son to visit my Aunt in the New Year who gets frequent cold sores. She is very open about this and as she has never had children of her own, is trying to find out about risks and precautions in regards to my boy. I want her to fully enjoy him during our time together, while keeping things as risk free as possible for him.

I read somewhere that it can be transmitted via coughing, which I really don’t think is quite true as I did not think it was an airborne virus. If my aunt had a cold sore and changed his diaper, and coughed or sneezed during the process, is this a risk? Is giving him a bath any type of risk?

My understanding is that she should not kiss him with an active cold sore, which she fully understands. What about accidentally sharing utensils? Minimal risk I think from your previous posts? So, hand washing and no kissing, but other than that, everything else should be fine? Mainly just want to clarify diaper changing and bathing, and the use of utensils.

Thank you so much. Cannot express my gratitude enough.

[Terri Warren]

If she has a cold sore at the time you are there, she should avoid facial contact with your son. If she has no cold sore, she is not infectious to him. A kiss on the check is not a concern at all. I’m not worried about sharing utensils, It is not transmitted via coughing, sneezing, or bathing your son.

Terri

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