Per reports, the newborn, Aliza, was just 8 days old when she died after ‘being kissed’. During an interview, her 19-year-old mother, Abigail, said that for the first 36 hours of her life, Aliza was seemingly healthy. Unfortunately, shortly after, the mother noticed that her daughter had developed a fever and become very lethargic; so much so that she lost all interest in food. The newborn’s condition was rapidly deteriorating, as the disease was devouring her brain and lungs, leaving her having seizures and difficult breathing.
When the medical personnel initially told the mother and her partner, Tyler, that there was still some hope that Aliza would make it, they had no idea that their little girl would eventually lose her life to the virus. The doctors told the mother that her newborn reportedly developed a neonatal herpes from the HSV-1 virus – after being kissed. Just several weeks after being diagnosed with the virus, the child passed away. The medics explained to the mother afterward that it’s likely she contracted the virus from someone who kissed her shortly after they themselves had been infected.
A social media post by the mother has amassed over half a million responses. The post read:, “WASH YOUR HANDS AND DON’T KISS BABIES. There’s not a moment that goes by that I don’t think about her. I think about her every passing day” Although doctors can offer a guess as to how Abigail’s daughter might have contracted the virus, such as from kissing or contaminated hands, there is no certain way to know for sure. Friend stated, “Aliza was healthy for about a day and a half. Her body was destroyed by the virus in six and a half days. She was visited by a few family members and friends when she was born. The virus is common, so there’s no way to tell who passed it to her. For all I know, it could have even been a doctor.” Because their immune systems aren’t developed enough to combat the illness, herpes can be quite harmful in newborns.
If the virus spreads to a baby’s organs, almost one-third of them will die, even with treatment. A baby’s mother can pass the infection to her child during pregnancy or childbirth if she gets genital herpes for the first time within six weeks of becoming pregnant. If a baby is kissed or if its mother, who has herpes sores on her breasts, breastfeeds it after birth, the infant is still in danger. The most contagious stage of a cold sore is when it breaks open, but it can still spread until it has healed completely. Treatment often includes antiviral agents that must be given intravenously. If you have a cold sore, avoid kissing babies and make sure to wash your hands before touching them. Dear readers, we are republishing this story to raise awareness about this life-threatening disease.
