When there is a newborn baby in the room, it is impossible not to hug, hold and kiss them. For those of us whose babies are grown, a new baby brings back so many wonderful memories.
But one heartbroken mother is warning parents not to let others kiss their babies after tragedy struck her family.
Oarlah was only six months old when she was rushed to the hospital with the fear that she would go blind.
Her mother, Holly Cruickshanks, is now warning about the dangers of kissing small babies after her own babies contracted herpes.
Most of little Oarlah’s body was covered in red sores and there was a real fear that she would go blind.
“When I saw it, I was horrified. I knew she might freak out because of it”, Holly said.
“The thought of her losing her sight broke me”.
The wounds went into the left eye which was swollen as doctors tried to reduce the swelling and save the eye. Fortunately, after 24 hours the swelling went down.
Herpes is a virus that causes infectious sores and Oarlah contracted it even though her mother did not want her to be kissed. Some people contract the virus but show no symptoms.
Holly said: “I was horrified. People thought I was paranoid when I said I didn’t want anyone to kiss Oarlah but I knew what could happen”.
“I couldn’t hold myself and kissed her on the forehead when she was born, but then I forbade others to kiss her”.
“I tried to protect her and she still contracted this terrible virus, but the doctors told us that it can also pass through the hands”.
Holly said Oarlah, now 15 months old, has fully recovered, but she still won’t let anyone kiss her.
Although infant mortality from herpes is very rare, it is important to take precautions when around infants who are more susceptible to the disease.
Always wash your hands thoroughly, even if you are only holding the baby for a few moments. It could be the difference between life and death.
Please share this to warn others – all parents should know the warning signs and take their babies to the hospital immediately if there is any concern, even the smallest.
