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Toddler with herpes
jskitles posted:
My daughter is 2 and once a week she is watched by a friend. My friend also watches her grand daughter who is 3 at the same time. She was unable to keep my 2 yr old this week because the 3yr old has just been diagnosed with genital and oral herpes. I am not sure if the mother has it or not. I am very concerned about them changing my daughters diaper, about her playing with the same toys ect. I am also very concerned if the mother does not have it, how did she get it? My first thought was has this child been molested? I don't want my 2 yr old going back until I know where the 3 yr old got it. Even then I am not sure because I don't know much about the chances of my daughter getting it. Any advise????
5 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Toddler with herpesMy daughter is 2 and once a week she is watched by a friend. My friend also watches her grand daughter who is 3 at the same time. She was unable to keep my 2 yr old this week because the 3yr old has just been diagnosed with genital and oral herpes. I am not sure if the mother has it or not. I am very concerned about them changing my daughters diaper, about her playing with the same toys ect. I am also very concerned if the mother does not have it, how did she get it? My first thought was has this child been molested? I don't want my 2 yr old going back until I know where the 3 yr old got it. Even then I am not sure because I don't know much about the chances of my daughter getting it. Any advise????
jel0267 responded:
That would be enough for me to find a new babysitter. It is possible to contract herpes lesions on the genitals from contact with someone who has the virus on their hands, so I guess if the 3 y.o. had oral lesions it would be possible for her to be touching her mouth and then her genitals...but I don't know, the first thing this makes me think of is that the child is being molested. I would be more worried about the adults that might be around your child while at the babysitters than I would worry about them changing her diaper and the toy thing, as long as they are using good hygeine. If they are washing their hands after they change the other childs diaper (they should be washing hands after all diaper changes, but especially after contact with the 3 y.o. if she has active lesions) and if they are sanitizing toys appropriately and then keeping the 3 y.o.'s hands washed then I wouldn't worry. I would really only worry when the 3 y.o. had active herpes lesions, although I have heard that herpes can be transmitted even when there are no active lesions present. I have heard that 75% of kindergarteners carry the herpes virus (that can manifest as cold sores around the mouth), you can pick it up on any doornob at the mall probably.
Report This| Share this:Toddler with herpesThat would be enough for me to find a new babysitter. It is possible to contract herpes lesions on the genitals from contact with someone who has the virus on their hands, so I guess if the 3 y.o. had oral lesions it would be possible for her to be touching her mouth and then her genitals...but I don't know, the first thing this makes me think of is that the child is being molested. I would be more worried about the adults that might be around your child while at the babysitters than I would worry about them changing her diaper and the toy thing, as long as they are using good hygeine. If they are washing their hands after they change the other childs diaper (they should be washing hands after all diaper changes, but especially after contact with the 3 y.o. if she has active lesions) and if they are sanitizing toys appropriately and then keeping the 3 y.o.'s hands washed then I wouldn't worry. I would really only worry when the 3 y.o. had active herpes lesions, although I have heard that herpes can be transmitted even when there are no active lesions present. I have heard that 75% of kindergarteners carry the herpes virus (that can manifest as cold sores around the mouth), you can pick it up on any doornob at the mall probably.
thank you, it is nice to know that I am not the only one worried about other adults. That was my first instinct that something more is going on. I am going to look into that for sure and I am going to find out if the mother has it. I am just glad that I am not over reacting!!! 
Report This| Share this:Toddler with herpesthank you, it is nice to know that I am not the only one worried about other adults. That was my first instinct that something more is going on. I am going to look into that for sure and I am going to find out if the mother has it. I am just glad that I am not over reacting!!! <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0">
121sweetie replied to jskitles's response:
THERE IS NO REASON FOR A 3 YEAR OLD TO HAVE GENITAL HERPES OTHER THAN BEING MOLESTED!!!! BABIES CAN GET IT WHEN BORN IF THE MOTHER HAD HERPES IN THE BIRTH CANAL BUT IT WOULD HAVE SHOWN UP BEFORE 3 YEARS OLD. RUN AWAY FROM THAT BABYSITTER ASAP!!! COLD SORES ARE A TYPE OF HERPES VIRUS BUT THEY ARE NOT TRANSMITTABLE TO THE GENITALS. ONLY GENITAL HERPES CAN BE TRANSMITTED TO THE GENITALS!!! AND IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GIVE A CHILD GENITAL HERPES JUST BY CHANGING HER DIAPER WITH DIRTY HANDS YOU HAD JUST TOUCHED YOUR CROTCH WITH SO SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY GOING ON HERE. PLEASE CALL CHILDREN'S SERVICES AND REPORT THESE PEOPLE IF NOT ALREADY DONE!!!
Report This| Share this:Toddler with herpesTHERE IS NO REASON FOR A 3 YEAR OLD TO HAVE GENITAL HERPES OTHER THAN BEING MOLESTED!!!! BABIES CAN GET IT WHEN BORN IF THE MOTHER HAD HERPES IN THE BIRTH CANAL BUT IT WOULD HAVE SHOWN UP BEFORE 3 YEARS OLD. RUN AWAY FROM THAT BABYSITTER ASAP!!! COLD SORES ARE A TYPE OF HERPES VIRUS BUT THEY ARE <b>NOT</b> TRANSMITTABLE TO THE GENITALS. ONLY <b>GENITAL</b> HERPES CAN BE TRANSMITTED TO THE <b>GENITALS</b>!!! AND IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GIVE A CHILD GENITAL HERPES JUST BY CHANGING HER DIAPER WITH DIRTY HANDS YOU HAD JUST TOUCHED YOUR CROTCH WITH SO SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY GOING ON HERE. PLEASE CALL CHILDREN'S SERVICES AND REPORT THESE PEOPLE IF NOT ALREADY DONE!!!
Whoaaa! Put on the brakes!!!!!
Genital herpes in a 3 year old child with oral herpes most likely represents genital extension of the oral infection.
Many people likely know that there are two types of Herpes Simplex viruses -- Type 1 (HSV-1) infections usually affect the the face and the skin above the waist, whereas Type 2 (HSV-2) typically infects the genitalia and the skin below the waist. Since this child reportedly has genital herpes, the concern was that this represents a venereal infection due to sexual contact with another individual with HSV-2. As it turns out, however, at least 20% of cases of genital infection are caused by HSV-1 -- with the virus in the saliva infecting the skin below the waist.
Thus, in this case, since the child reportedly has herpes involving the mouth, the greatest likelihood (and the simplest explanation) is that the genital lesion is nothing more than "oral Herpes gone South".
If -- and this is an important if -- there are other reasons to suspect child abuse, then medical personnel can and should test to see if the genital infection is indeed due to HSV-1 or HSV-2. If the genital lesions are shown to be HSV-2, then Child Protective Services will need to be involved.
Lastly, although it is understandable that one would not want to ever have your child exposed to Herpes, it is not possible to accomplish this since most oral infections are asymptomatic but pose a risk of infection since there is saliva in the virus. Thus, the key is good hand washing ("universal precautions") and avoiding exposure to saliva at all times -- not just in symptomatic children. For this same reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics says that children with cold sores should not be excluded from day care or school.
Genital herpes in a 3 year old child with oral herpes most likely represents genital extension of the oral infection.
Many people likely know that there are two types of Herpes Simplex viruses -- Type 1 (HSV-1) infections usually affect the the face and the skin above the waist, whereas Type 2 (HSV-2) typically infects the genitalia and the skin below the waist. Since this child reportedly has genital herpes, the concern was that this represents a venereal infection due to sexual contact with another individual with HSV-2. As it turns out, however, at least 20% of cases of genital infection are caused by HSV-1 -- with the virus in the saliva infecting the skin below the waist.
Thus, in this case, since the child reportedly has herpes involving the mouth, the greatest likelihood (and the simplest explanation) is that the genital lesion is nothing more than "oral Herpes gone South".
If -- and this is an important if -- there are other reasons to suspect child abuse, then medical personnel can and should test to see if the genital infection is indeed due to HSV-1 or HSV-2. If the genital lesions are shown to be HSV-2, then Child Protective Services will need to be involved.
Lastly, although it is understandable that one would not want to ever have your child exposed to Herpes, it is not possible to accomplish this since most oral infections are asymptomatic but pose a risk of infection since there is saliva in the virus. Thus, the key is good hand washing ("universal precautions") and avoiding exposure to saliva at all times -- not just in symptomatic children. For this same reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics says that children with cold sores should not be excluded from day care or school.
Report This| Share this:Toddler with herpesWhoaaa! Put on the brakes!!!!!<br /> <br /><b>Genital herpes in a 3 year old child with oral herpes most likely represents genital extension of the oral infection. </b><br /><b></b> <br />Many people likely know that there are two types of Herpes Simplex viruses -- Type 1 (HSV-1) infections usually affect the the face and the skin above the waist, whereas Type 2 (HSV-2) typically infects the genitalia and the skin below the waist. Since this child reportedly has genital herpes, the concern was that this represents a venereal infection due to sexual contact with another individual with HSV-2. As it turns out, however, <b>at least 20% of cases of genital infection are caused by HSV-1 -- with the virus in the saliva infecting the skin below the waist.</b><br /> <br /><b>Thus, in this case, since the child reportedly has herpes involving the mouth, the greatest likelihood (and the simplest explanation) is that the genital lesion is nothing more than "oral Herpes gone South".</b> <br /> <br />If -- and this is an important if -- there are other reasons to suspect child abuse, then medical personnel can and should test to see if the genital infection is indeed due to HSV-1 or HSV-2. If the genital lesions are shown to be HSV-2, then Child Protective Services will need to be involved. <br /> <br />Lastly, although it is understandable that one would not want to ever have your child exposed to Herpes, it is not possible to accomplish this since most oral infections are asymptomatic but pose a risk of infection since there is saliva in the virus. Thus, the key is good hand washing ("universal precautions") and avoiding exposure to saliva at all times -- not just in symptomatic children. For this same reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics says that children with cold sores should <u>not</u> be excluded from day care or school.
nonjudgemental replied to Andrew Adesman, MD's response:
Thank you doctor.I am a women in a monogomous relationship with my husband of 5 yrs.We just found out that he has had hsv-2 for 15 years and never presented with any symptoms after we got together he would get a 'rash'(what we thought at the time)but i started presenting 2 weeks ago with horrible symptoms and have been on medication.I unfortunatly not only have it on my genitals but i have it in my mouths as well.Well we have a 16 month old daughter,and the last 2 weeks has been wretched and i have avoided her at all cost but NO i would never wish this on our daughter or anyone elses daughter either! So please think before reacting
Report This| Share this:Toddler with herpesThank you doctor.I am a women in a monogomous relationship with my husband of 5 yrs.We just found out that he has had hsv-2 for 15 years and never presented with any symptoms after we got together he would get a 'rash'(what we thought at the time)but i started presenting 2 weeks ago with horrible symptoms and have been on medication.I unfortunatly not only have it on my genitals but i have it in my mouths as well.Well we have a 16 month old daughter,and the last 2 weeks has been wretched and i have avoided her at all cost but NO i would never wish this on our daughter or anyone elses daughter either! So please think before reacting
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