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Cold sore questions
Hello, I'm currently trying to gather my thoughts and get any information that's not all doom and gloom from some articles I've read online.
My father in law has a very visible cold sore and even after being asked not to share anything or kiss my child, decided to kiss my child on the cheek and forehead. Even though I admit I might be overreacting, my main concern is how much I should be worried? Is there any real worry here? Would it be necessary to reach out to my toddler's pediatrician?
Thanks for any help/guidance
My father in law has a very visible cold sore and even after being asked not to share anything or kiss my child, decided to kiss my child on the cheek and forehead. Even though I admit I might be overreacting, my main concern is how much I should be worried? Is there any real worry here? Would it be necessary to reach out to my toddler's pediatrician?
Thanks for any help/guidance
COMMUNITY LEADER
Since your child is not a newborn, your child will be fine. So long as there weren't any mouth kisses, it's okay. The skin on the forehead and cheek are too thick for the virus to penetrate.
That said, if your father in law isn't respecting your boundaries as a parent, that's an issue.
Also, 67% of people under 50 globally have hsv1, and most don't get symptoms. You might have it. You can still transmit it without symptoms. I don't say this to freak you out, but to educate you.
Right now, with covid, RSV, the flu, etc., I wouldn't let anyone kiss my young child if I had one. Oral herpes would be near the bottom of the list of concerns.
That said, if your father in law isn't respecting your boundaries as a parent, that's an issue.
Also, 67% of people under 50 globally have hsv1, and most don't get symptoms. You might have it. You can still transmit it without symptoms. I don't say this to freak you out, but to educate you.
Right now, with covid, RSV, the flu, etc., I wouldn't let anyone kiss my young child if I had one. Oral herpes would be near the bottom of the list of concerns.
6 Comments
Thank you so much, I truly appreciate the information.
You're welcome. :)
Odd follow-up, but is there any worry if the kiss was on a scrape on the elbow? Didn't learn about that until this afternoon. Again, thank you for all of your help and information.
In theory, yes, this could cause transmission, but herpes takes some friction to transmit, especially on thicker skin like on the elbow.
It's not something I'd spend any time worrying about. I would talk to your spouse, though, because your FIL needs to be educated about not kissing your kid with a cold sore. You can't protect your kids from everything, and they might some day end up with hsv1 anyway, but when it's easy to prevent, it should be prevented.
Since it's not your father, your spouse needs to handle this. You probably wouldn't let anyone kiss your kid if they had the flu, so the same theory holds here.
It's not something I'd spend any time worrying about. I would talk to your spouse, though, because your FIL needs to be educated about not kissing your kid with a cold sore. You can't protect your kids from everything, and they might some day end up with hsv1 anyway, but when it's easy to prevent, it should be prevented.
Since it's not your father, your spouse needs to handle this. You probably wouldn't let anyone kiss your kid if they had the flu, so the same theory holds here.
Thank you. Your words are greatly appreciated.
You're welcome. :)
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
