question about cold sores and infants.

[jenschurm]

Yesterday my cousins wife kissed my 10 month old on his cheek and she had an older looking cold sore. It happened so fast I didn't have time to stop her and now I am worried sick. Right after it happened I ran inside and put hand sanitizer on his face then rushed home, (about 15 minute drive) and put him in the tub. I'm so scared my poor little baby is going to contract it and I feel like a totally failure as a mom right now. ): Does anyone know how likely it is he will catch it? Everyone says they are so contagious and I'm really worried.

[gracefromHHP]

statistically 1 out of every 2-3 people you know has hsv1. Most folks never get an obvious cold sore to know that they are infected.  Encourage all caregivers and family members to  not kiss infants on the lips or eyes.  

by the time we start public school, 1 out of every 3 of us even in the US alone has hsv1 orally. It's incredibly common and just something to be aware of and use common sense precautions over :)  

[jenschurm]

Thank you. I'm sure I did panic. I've never had one and am unsure how contagious they are. You hear crazy stories sometimes! I appreciate your response.

[gracefromHHP]

you can't wash herpes off of someone. herpes is transmitted during the direct skin on skin contact, it doesn't lay on the skin and work its way into the body over time.  

pretty much  you panicked to be honest.  kissing on the cheek is very low risk in general. it's highly unlikely your baby contracted hsv1 from this contact.  

grace