HSV 1 testing?

Question

I’m horrified reading about newborns dying due to HSV 1.

Is this something my OB can do an oral swab on my husband and I to rule out or at least to let either of us know if we have it?

Of course family members will not be kissing baby or letting her put her fingers on their faces and sucking them and people WILL wash their hands when they come in the door and sanitize right before holding her. It’s already flu season when our babies are born so I will be a psycho.

I’m just worried about my husband or myself kissing her. I see my ob in 2 weeks and I want to ask him but I’m also afraid to sound like an idiot or a crazy FTM. This is my <a href="https://glowing.com/glow-fertility-program">IVF</a> baby, she was not easy to conceive and I’m just so protective over her.

Thanks ladies 😍😘

Answer

If you get cold sores occasionally, you most likely have HSV 1. You can kiss your baby or do whatever as long as you don’t have a cold sore at the time. My SO gets cold sores and his other kids are fine. I do plan on having people not kiss my baby that’s due in March, but I know my SO and I wouldn’t kiss the baby if we have a cold sore

Answer

@savanah, I’m glad you are aware of this virus. My daughter Mallory died of Hsv type 1 this past January at 18 days old. We try to share her story & spread awareness as much as possible. 
Your ob can send you for a Hsv 1&2 blood test. I’d recommend your husband get tested too. Also know if any close family members have it. A lot of the older generation do not like to admit they are cold sores. I’m still negative but my husband is positive along with many members of our families. 
Our daughter got it likely from someone kissing or touching her hands & then she put her hands in her own mouth. Everyone thought they were being super careful. We miss her so much. We should have a perfect healthy 10mo old but we don’t. 
We are now expecting her baby brother in March 2019. My dr is changing the way her practice is. I will ask to get tested any time I feel. So far I was tested at 9wks & 17wks. I’ll go again in another 6wks. There is still a chance I can catch it as pregnant women have weaker immune systems. Then that would pose a risk to the baby and they could get neonatal hsv. At 35wks my husband and I (even if I am still negative) will go on suppressants until 6wks postpartum to keep it at bay (still that’s not 100%). 
It’s all so messed up! I never felt scared last year when I was pregnant gearing up to have my daughter. My biggest fear was childbirth. I never thought I’d live to have a baby then hold her in my arms as she died. This stuff never crossed my mind.

HSV 1 testing?

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