A talk on Herpes Simplex Virus in the Newborn
If you have skin infections, don't ignore it, you could be in for HSV which is also known as Herpes simplex virus. Sources say, Herpes simplex virus comes as HSV 1 and HSV 2. HSV 1 is minor and you would know you have it when you have mouth ulcers and blisters, or even lips and eye blisters and ulcers. When you have HSV 2, the areas around the genitals get affected, say experts.
In newborn babies, HSV or Herpes simplex virus as it is known can cause a lot of complications and some babies don't live to see the next day as well, since the immune systems within them are not so well developed for the disease to be fought against. More than half a million adults in the US alone suffer from Herpes simplex virus type 1. They shed the virus through the saliva while they are infected and sometimes they don't show up with symptoms, such as cold sores or mouth sores as well, say experts.
Herpes simplex virus can affect and infect anybody around. Type 1 Herpes simplex virus happens when we are kids and below the age of five. This can happen when the child is around someone who sheds the virus through cold sores and saliva, say experts. In newborn babies it has been seen that Herpes simplex virus type 2 is the prime cause of infection which stems from the mothers birth canal, says a source. Even if the newborn is near someone who has Herpes simplex virus and is shedding, there could be a case of contamination as well, say experts.
Some cases of patients with Herpes simplex virus show no symptoms while they shed through saliva. Even if they have mouth sores, it would be blisters that would open and create crusts around, and in three weeks disappear altogether, says a source. Newborn babies who are infected would have slight symptoms in the beginning, such as low fevers, won't eat well, skin blisters etc, which would normally be seen when the child has developed symptoms after a week and a half from the day it was exposed to someone suffering from Herpes simplex virus.
When such symptoms of Herpes simplex virus are seen on the newborn, the doctor should be called immediately. This is because newborns have a tendency of falling sick very soon and can have seizures and high fevers, leading them to become very lethargic in due course, say experts. Don't ignore the symptoms of Herpes simplex virus in newborns, because it would become very severe and can lead to death as seen in many cases, say experts.
To treat Herpes simplex virus, remember cold sores which can happen to adults and kids don't need treatment, but the doctor would advise creams that have anti Herpes simplex virus properties to be kept, just in case. Maintain strict health and hygiene conditions at all times to treat Herpes simplex virus in newborns and keep the surroundings clean and free from dirt and clutter say experts.
