The kiss of death: the 11-day-old baby almost died after catching the herpes of someone with a cold sore



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A little boy nearly died after catching the herpes of a so-called "kiss of death".

Oliver Miller's mother, 23-year-old Lucy Kendall, rushed her 11-day-old son to the hospital when he started refusing milk and hurting his back.

The child, a native of Hull, was immediately transferred to the high-dependence unit where he received oxygen, as well as a diet and many cannulas inserted into it.

After undergoing multiple tests, the doctors diagnosed Oliver 's neonatal herpes eight days later, which they suspected had been caught after being kissed or touched by someone who had died. one with a cold sore.

Although it was tactile, Oliver managed to return home 21 days later. Reflecting on this test, Miss Kendall said, "My message is to respect newborns and stay away if you have a cold sore. Keep your babies safe.

The little boy Oliver Miller almost died after catching the herpes of a so-called "kiss of death". Oliver is taken care of at the hospital after being infected with the herpes virus

The little boy Oliver Miller almost died after catching the herpes of a so-called "kiss of death". Oliver is taken care of at the hospital after being infected with the herpes virus

After her mother, Lucy Kendall, noticed that Oliver refused to drink milk and bruised his back, the young man was rushed to the hospital where he was immediately placed in the unit. high dependence. While there, Oliver received oxygen, in addition to having a feeding tube and cannulas

After her mother, Lucy Kendall, noticed that Oliver refused to drink milk and bruised his back, the young man was rushed to the hospital where he was immediately placed in the unit. high dependence. While there, Oliver received oxygen, in addition to having a feeding tube and cannulas

Speaking of her son's diagnosis, Miss Kendall said, "As you can imagine, we were just shocked and could not understand what had just been said.

"The doctor began to explain that Herpes simplex virus 1 could be transmitted to a newborn if a person had a cold sore and kissed or touched the baby after touching the cold sore.

"Cold sores are the most contagious when they burst, but they remain contagious until they are completely cured.

"It was just absolutely terrible. The condition is known as the kiss of death and it was just devastating for all of us.

We do not know who Oliver caught the virus. Neither Miss Kendall nor her partner Jaz Miller were suffering from a cold injury at the time.

WHAT IS NEONATAL HERPES?

Neonatal herpes occurs when a newborn catches the virus.

The herpes simplex virus is highly contagious and spreads by cold sores or genital ulcers in adults.

Herpes can be very serious in newborns because their immune system is not strong enough to fight the infection.

It reaches only 1.65 babies per 100,000 people in the United Kingdom, compared to 33 per 100,000 in the United States.

If the virus spreads to the organs of a baby, nearly a third of it dies even if it has been treated.

A baby may be at risk if his mother catches genital herpes for the first time during the first six weeks of her pregnancy.

These women can transmit the infection to their babies if they give birth vaginally.

After birth, a baby is at risk of seeing a person having a cold sore and kissing her or if her mother is breastfeeding and has herpes sores on her breasts. This can happen if she touches her cold sore and her breasts.

Cold sores are the most contagious when they burst but remain contagious until they are completely cured.

A baby can be infected while he:

  • Is lethargic or irritable
  • Refuse the food
  • A fever
  • Has rashes or sores on skin, eyes, or mouth

If a baby becomes lifeless, does not wake up, has difficulty breathing or has blue tongue or skin, call 999 immediately.

Treatment usually involves antiviral medications administered intravenously.

To reduce the risk of a baby's infection, people should not kiss infants if they have a cold sore and must wash their hands before touching them.

Source: NHS

After undergoing tests, the doctors confirmed Oliver's diagnosis and told his mother that babies can catch herpes if they are kissed or touched by someone who has already hit a cold sore.

After undergoing tests, the doctors confirmed Oliver's diagnosis and told his mother that babies can catch herpes if they are kissed or touched by someone who has already hit a cold sore.

After 21 days in the hospital, he was well enough to go home but he needs antibiotics for six months

After 21 days in the hospital, he was well enough to go home but he needs antibiotics for six months

Oliver, who was born on August 3, spent 21 days in the hospital before being allowed to go home.

He will be on antibiotics for the next six months and will require regular tests.

Miss Kendall said, "This was the most traumatic time of my life, especially with my new parent.

"Having your first baby is pretty scary, no matter if you have to go through it all."

Neonatal herpes is extremely dangerous for young babies because their immune system is not strong enough to fight the virus.

Leo Aldcroft of Prestwich, Greater Manchester, died tragically last month at the age of 10 days after catching his mother's virus.

Miss Kendall said, "One in three babies can die if it gets infected, it is so dangerous and people need to be more aware of it.

& # 39; We are the lucky ones. A few hours later, it could have been so different.

The Oliver family wishes to thank all the staff who treated her at the Hull Hospital for Women and Children.

Miss Kendall said, "Everyone at the hospital was absolutely amazing. All the staff were really attached to Oliver. They were sad to see him leave but happy that he was recovering well.

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