Causes
Herpes disease occurs as a result of infection with the Herpes Simplex virus. The virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted by a kiss or by sharing the drink (smear infection or droplet transmission). There is also a 50% risk that a mother with a primary herpes infection will infect her baby during birth.
In these cases, however, there is not much risk for the newborn, as antibodies of the mother against the virus have already been transmitted to the baby during pregnancy and the baby is therefore well protected in the first weeks of life, which is called nest protection. However, if the mother falls ill with herpes only shortly before birth, this nest protection is not guaranteed. The antibodies formed at this stage cannot be transmitted to the baby via the placenta.
How high is the risk of infection if I kissed my child with herpes?
Infection with the herpes virus type 1 occurs through close contact of the infected mother or infected people.Kissing and caressing the baby is the most important part of this. The infectious virus particles contained in the typical herpes blisters can be quickly transmitted to the baby’s mucous membranes. In principle, the herpes simplex infection is considered a smear infection and is therefore transmitted via body secretions such as saliva.
There is a high risk of infection for the child, especially if parents have an open herpes blister on their lips or in their mouth. The herpes virus can be transmitted by kissing the child or by sharing cutlery or glasses. Since a herpes infection can be dangerous, especially in the first year and a half of a child’s life, parents with herpes should take certain precautions to avoid infecting the child during this time.
These include covering the herpes blisters with plasters or special creams and good hand hygiene. Parents should also avoid kissing their babies while they have herpes blisters around their mouths. Breastfeeding is not necessary unless herpes blisters are also around the nipple.
