'We didn't know a cold sore could kill a baby'
Yahoo News Canada • • health
Key Points:
- Meg Edmonds, a bereaved mother, is raising awareness about the dangers of herpes simplex virus (HSV) to newborns after her 10-day-old daughter Magnolia died from the infection, which may have been transmitted by Meg's cold sore during birth.
- Cold sores, commonly seen as a minor infection in adults, can cause life-threatening illness in newborns due to their undeveloped immune systems, but many parents and health professionals are unaware of this risk.
- Meg had a cold sore at the time of Magnolia’s birth but was reassured by health professionals that it was not a concern, highlighting a gap in awareness and education about neonatal herpes.
- The Lullaby Trust charity emphasizes infection prevention with its THANKS campaign—encouraging handwashing and avoiding kissing babies when unwell—to reduce the risk of transmitting viruses like HSV to infants.
- Parents often feel awkward asking others to avoid kissing or touching their newborns to protect them from infections, but experts stress that such precautions are vital and should not require justification.
