Mum begs people to ‘stop kissing babies which aren’t yours’ in a heartbreaking Facebook post – as she reveals her newborn daughter died in just 12 days from the cold sore virus
A DEVASTATED mum has told how her newborn daughter died at just 12 days old, after contracting the cold sore virus from someone who gave her a kiss.
Now Presley Trejo, from Forth Worth, Texas, is urging people NOT to kiss babies which don't belong to them.
In a post which has been shared 198,000 times Presley told how Emerson died at just 12 days old.
She said: "Emerson ended up passing away from what is called the HSV-1 virus. It’s the herpes simplex virus most commonly known as the cold sore virus or the 'kiss of death' for infants.
"For adults it’s not a big deal. But for infants with little to no immune system, it’s fatal. When someone who has the virus in their system and kisses an infant it can spread rapidly.
"You can have the virus and not even know you have it. You don’t have to have an active cold sore to pass it on. You shed the virus in your saliva and when it gets on the baby it goes through the body so fast."
She continued: "It attacks the brain first. It shows up as a type of meningitis. It’s fluid based around the vertebrae and goes straight the the brain.
"It then spreads to all their organs. It happens so fast that you don’t even know the baby is sick. I’m Emerson’s case, when we arrive to the hospital, her liver was completely gone. Her kidneys were right behind. Everything was failing.
"She was having multiple seizures until she was brain dead. Her heart stopped beating and the only thing that kept her alive were machines.
"My daughter, my own flesh and blood who I created out of love, was on life support and I had to be the one to pull the plug on her life.
"A mother should never ever have to bury their child. The virus took her at just 12 days old and we watched her die a very slow death. And now I have a lifetime without her."
Presley added: "Everyone needs to know about this virus and what it does to children and their families! PEOPLE!!!! STOP KISSING BABIES THAT ARE NOT YOURS!!!!! WAS YOUR HANDS WHEN YOU ARE AROUND NEWBORNS!!!!! My babies don’t have their sister and my husband and I lost our only little girl.
"Emerson didn’t deserve it. I as a mother and wife didn’t deserve it. My husband and kids don’t deserve it. And now we will live a whole life time of 'what ifs'.
"I will never see her go to kindergarten, graduate high school or college, my husband will never walk her down the aisle on her wedding day, I will never see her be a better mother than me.
"It’s not fair!! We should have never had to go through this. I love you Emerson Faye. I will carry on your name and your love till eternity. I will never forget you. I will never stop loving you. Fly high beautiful baby."
Emerson didn’t deserve it... I will never see her go to kindergarten, graduate high school or college, my husband will never walk her down the aisle on her wedding day, I will never see her be a better mother than me.
Presley Trejo
The HSV-1, cold sore or herpes virus, can easily be passed onto babies and toddlers through something as simple as a kiss and can prove fatal.
Herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, which causes painful blisters on the mouth or on the genitals, which is passed on by sexual contact.
It is a chronic long-term condition, which can become active again.
There are two types of herpes - HSV 1 and HSV 2 - which enter the body through the moist skin of the mouth, penis, vagina and rectum.
Both types can cause cold sores on the mouth, genital herpes, whitlows (small abscesses) on the fingers and hands.
Herpes is especially dangerous for babies under six months old and newborn babies because their immune systems are still developing.
Neonatal herpes is a herpes infection in a newborn baby.
It's caused by the highly contagious herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores and genital ulcers in adults.
Sometimes neonatal herpes only affects a baby's eyes, mouth or skin. If this is the case most babies will recover with antiviral treatment.
The condition is much more serious if it spreads to the baby's organs - almost a third of babies with this type of neonatal herpes will die, even if they receive treatment.
WHEN THE COLD SORE VIRUS TURNS DEADLY
NEONATAL herpes is when a newborn is infected with the herpes virus.
It's caused by the same strain of herpes that triggers cold sores and genital ulcers in adults.
It can be extremely serious for a young baby, whose immune system won't have fully developed to fight off the virus.
While it's rare, it's important all parents are aware of the dangers.
Newborns can catch herpes in a number of ways.
It can be passed on during birth, if mum has genital herpes for the first time within six weeks of her pregnancy.
After birth, a baby can become infected if a person with a cold sore kisses them.
Or if mum breastfeeds with herpes sores on her breasts.
The warning signs to watch for in your baby are if they:
- lacking energy and being more sleepy than usual
- stop feeding
- floppy
- have a high temperature
- have a high-pitched cry
- have breathing difficulties or start grunting
- breath rapidly
- have a blue tongue
- have a rash
It's important to get your baby checked over if you suspect they've caught or been exposed to herpes.
It can develop quickly and spread to their brain or other parts of the body, proving fatal.
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