[Question #877] Passing Herpes to Children

104 months ago

I asked a question the other day about the risk of getting Herpes based on encounter I had and felt good with the response and still haven't shown signs of an outbreak.

However, recently my 4 year daughter had been sick for 3 days vomitting, lethargic, slight flu and has a rash on her butt that I'm not saying is herpes but I'm obviously worried that it is. She hasn't been itching it or complaining about it but she was complaining about her vagina hurting "inside" and was super defensive about it.

Needless to say I'm terrified about the idea of passion it to her. If I had it how would that even be possible? I obviously don't touch her that way but do bath her, change her, wipe her sometimes at the bathroom.

If I had it I would be on day 11 and she was sick day 6-9 of when I had it and still has the rash, would I even be contagious at this point.

I know it's all hypothetical but I appreciate your help.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

104 months ago

Your worries are groundless about passing herpes to your daughter. I know this worry is just looming over your life right now - for yourself, for your daughter, too. But your encounter was not a risk and therefore herpes for her is not a risk. For all my years working with people with herpes, I have never ever seen or heard of a child becoming infected with herpes from an adult if they 1) didn't get it during birth or 2) acquire it orally from someone with an cold sore kissing a newborn or 3) sexual abuse. None of those fit you, I believe. Also, herpes does not cause vomiting. And if your daughter has pain in her vagina, is there a woman in her life she might feel more comfortable discussing this with, if he is super defensive with you?

Terri
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104 months ago

Thank you.

She was kind of defensive with both us last night. Her rash is the same as it was Thursday but she doesn't complain about it and has not been itching at all. The vagina comment is what got me, and it was the first and only time she mentioned it. I'll go with what you said, none of the three scenarios you described apply and she seems fine today so I will try to stay positive. There is some serious misinformation online so it's easy to think you can infect your child with HSV doing normal day to day activities if those are your sources of info.

With that said, if I was infected and prior to outbreak would I still be contagious? What's that period of time pre, during & post outbreak that you're contagious? Do people sometimes get infected and not have an outbreak? At how many days past potential exposure without an outbreak should I start to feel better? I know that's a bunch of questions but they seem related to me.

Thanks for your help.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

104 months ago

If you were infected, which you almost certainly were not, you would be infectious certainly during an outbreak, but you could shed genitally at other times as well. Some people do get infected and don't have an outbreak. Start to feel better? You mean start to feel reassured? I don't know what you mean

Terri

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104 months ago

Yes, I mean how many days after potential exposure without an outbreak should I feel assured I'm ok? The idea of being infected without an outbreak means a long time until I can get a test to feel better and the whole time I'll be freaked out and worried about having sex with my wife.

104 months ago

Just wanted to follow up on my post from the weekend...

I feel good after 12 days from potential exposure except for some itching/burning on my legs and butt. I know you mentioned that is not a symptom of Herepes but on some websites it sounds like it is. Is it possible to have an outbreak without Lesions and only have itching/burning? My skin doesn't even look red where it itches/burns so I'm not sure what is going on.

I've never felt so stressed/depressed in my life so I'm just trying to find ways to get through the day.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

104 months ago

If you've not had an outbreak within 10 days, then you either aren't infected (which is the very most likely) or you are infected without symptoms. I'm sorry you are depressed, I know this is hard for you, but your experience just didn't put you at any real risk for acquiring HSV.

Terri
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