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Everything You Need to Know About Cold Sores and New Born Babies



Giving birth is undoubtedly one of the most exciting times of your life. From decorating the nursery, mulling over names and buying tiny baby clothes, every moment is cherished, and gives you that feeling of butterflies in your stomach.

The excitement doesn’t stop when your little bundle of joy arrives, but many parents will tell you it’s only after your baby is born that the real worry starts to kick in. From the moment your little one takes its first breath, they are suddenly exposed to all of the elements, including cold sores. Unfortunately, if you suffer from cold sores, your child is more at risk of catching them.

Although it is very rare, cold sores can actually be very serious for a young baby, as its immune system hasn’t yet fully developed to fight off the virus. The HSV1 virus is highly contagious and is passed from person to person with close contact, and can remain inactive for a long time, making it hard to spot.

If you suffer or have suffered with cold sores, and you’re worried about how it can affect your baby, we’ve created a FAQ that should answer any of your concerns: 


How can my baby get a cold sore?

  1. As a new parent, all you want to do is cuddle and kiss your little bundle of joy. If you suffer from cold sores, you could easily transfer this to your baby through saliva.
  2. If you are a sufferer, the virus can be transferred to your baby through breastfeeding if you have touched the area after touching a contagious cold sore.


What are the symptoms of the cold sore virus in a baby?

  1. Sleepiness and lack of energy

  2. No appetite

  3. High pitched cry

  4. Rash

  5. High temperature

  6. Rapid breathing

  7. Blue tongue and skin 


How can I keep my baby safe?

Apply lipivir® morning and night on during and after pregnancy to prevent cold sores from appearing all together. If you do get a cold sore and are worried you have passed on the virus to your baby, contact your GP straight away.


What’s your advice to new mothers? Let us know on the lipivir® Facebook Page.