Reply To: HSV1 – Transmission Risk to Child

[sprocket7475]

Hi Terri,
I went ahead and purchased additional questions.

Yes, the contact was brief. He was lying next to me in bed this morning, and as he was waking up (consequently waking me up), he reached over and grabbed for my face. His hand grazed my lips, and the blistered area, twice. He then immediately raised his hand to his eye to rub it. It all happened so fast. I did pick him up and then go and wash his hands, but again, he had already touched his eye. I also tried to wash his eye somewhat, but of course I couldn’t get soap in it. And this was several minutes after the exposure, as I spent some time scrubbing my hands and then his.

I did notice a small spot of irritation (small red bump) underneath the involved eye tonight. But, I’m thinking that can’t possibly be related to this morning’s exposure – the incubation period would be at least 2 days, right?
I realize I was likely shedding prior to this morning, however, so I will watch the spot carefully.

And yes, I will obsess, and will watch him very closely. I gave the pediatrician’s office a pre-emptive call today (they know about my cold sore history, and concerns about transmission), just in case something should crop up – they said to bring him in if needed, and they would then get us to an eye doctor if necessary.

My husband and I agreed that I will begin taking the 500 mg dose of Valtrex. If I still have outbreaks on it, once the current one has cleared, then I will talk to the OB again. I tried the 500 mg dose (for a month) when I initially went on suppressive therapy, last year, but switched to 1 gram as I continued to have outbreaks during that month. However, again, that was post-root canal, when the virus seemed to be raging. So, we will see what happens now.

I wore a viral mask tonight when I put him to bed, to be cautious. He is sleeping in his crib now, and hopefully will stay there, but if he wakes during the night and winds up in our bed, my husband will sleep with him and I will sleep on the couch.

Thanks so much for your help. It is quite disconcerting to have this outbreak after having been outbreak-free for so many months on the 1 g/daily dose of Valtrex.