Passing hsv2 to baby

[Rachilee]

Hi Everyone,

I have a 2 week old and my anxiety levels have been through the roof thinking I’m going to pass the virus on to my baby. I have hsv2 and mainly only have outbreaks on my genitals but also get herpetic whitlows on my hands and fingers. I’ve been on supressive medication since I was 32 weeks pregnant but have still been getting reoccurring symptoms regardless. I haven’t had any full blown outbreaks but I get lots of the tingling, burning and nerve pain all over my body like I’m about to have an outbreak. I’m at the point where I’m constantly stressed about touching or kissing my baby and I’m obsessing over checking my hands and face for blisters. I worry everytime she gets a spot on her. I don’t know what to do anymore and I’m exhausted from feeling this way. What can I do?

[Pichukita]

For the whitlow, if you see a sore definitely keep it covered completely with a bandaid. If you are worried about transmitting it to baby make sure while you have an active sore to use gloves when you change/bathroom the baby. Probably overkill since just covering it up with the bandaid and preventing the skin to skin contact will likely prevent transmission.

When you dont have an outbreak try to remind yourself that the danger of transmission is minimal. If you feel you are getting several outbreaks then you may want to talk to your doc about staying on the chronic therapy and maybe even increasing the dose depending on how many outbreaks you are getting.

I have hsv2 and when I was first diagnosed last memorial day I did get 1 finger with whitlow. It has not recurred on my finger since. I do get recurrent outbreaks down south and take suppressive therapy for that reason. From everything I have read whitlow is far less common than the other outbreaks.. so just do everything that you can to not further spread it.. use a body gloves to clean down there when you have an ourbreak so you dont have to physically touch your sore..Once you have the virus its really about damage control and making it a normal part of your life. “I have to do xyz now and thats ok.” If you have a questionable sore just treat it as if it was one to be extra safe.

I have had the same fear about accidentally transmitting it to my family or friends. Just remember the more you stress the more outbreaks you are likely to get. So you can think of it as part of your treatment or therapy to calm yourself down when you start to panic and freakout. If you feel like you see a sore on the baby then just go get her tested. You don’t need to tell anyone or get anyone permission. Just for your own peace of mind that its nothing. And if it is something is is 100% better to know so that you can contain the issue early.

Hope this helps a little! I am actually trying to get pregnant with my first child. There are a ton of fears and questions but it will be ok. We have to remember that. Life doesn’t always happen the way we want it but we deserve all the good things in this life including having our family.

[Nivea321]

So I don’t have any words of comfort in regards to being afraid to passing it on to your baby. However I can share my experience with unknowingly passing HSV 2 to my baby. Literally a day after giving birth a blister was found on my babies foot it was tested and came back positive hsv 2. I later learned had father had the infection and passed it on without sharing with me so I was unable to prevent my unborn from contracting the virus.

The journey has been stressful as I’m learning how this affects the both of us. My baby was born at 34 weeks 6 days which meant she had to go to the special care unit. I’m 100% sure baby kept is what saved it’s life. The heat may have been what triggered the initial skin outbreak. Baby was immediately started on acyclovir via IV for 21 days and now takes it twice a day; and will have to the first two years of life. Baby was blessed and her spinal tap showed no signs of the infection in her spinal fluid or around her brain. Which meant no cerebral palsy. There have also been no signs of developmental delay another blessing. So I just take it a day and a time and focus on enjoying my baby.

I know this isn’t want you wanted to hear but as a mom who went through this and has suffered mentally, physically, and emotionally. I just thought I’d share and at least you are on the meds and the risk are low. You could always have a cesarean which I’ve heard the baby can’t contract the virus.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by Nivea321.

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