A newborn baby in the United States has passed away after being kissed by someone with herpes.
Mariana Reese Sifrit, who was just 18 days old, died after a short battle with Meningitis HSV1.
Her mother, Nicole Sifrit, posted a tribute to her daughter on Facebook, writing: “Our princess Mariana Reese Sifrit gained her angel wings at 8:41 am this morning in her daddy’s arms and her mommy right beside her.
“Thank you to everyone who has followed her journey and supported us through this. In her 18 days of life she made a huge impact on the world and we hope with Mariana’s Story we save numerous [sic] newborns life. R.I.P. sweet angel.”
The doctors believe the newborn contracted Meningitis HSV1 through a kiss and both parents tested negative to the virus.
The Sifrit’s are now warning other parents about the dangers of letting people kiss their newborn babies.
Speaking to WHOtv.com, Nicole advised parents not to let “just anyone” visit their baby, and to keep their baby isolated in those early stages.
“Don’t let people kiss your baby and make sure they ask before they pick up your baby,” she said.
Nicole, and her husband Shane, welcomed little Mariana into the world on July 1 before getting married six days later. Just two hours after they tied the knot, they noticed something wasn’t right with Mariana.
They rushed her to Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines and found out she had Meningitis HSV1, a life threatening virus which is usually transmitted from a cold sore through a kiss.
Once admitted to hospital Mariana’s condition rapidly deteriorated and within a few days she had lost brain activity and her heart and lungs also began to fail.
Mariana passed away yesterday when she was just 18 days old and since then Nicole’s Facebook page has been flooded with messages of support.
“I am a complete stranger to you, but I wanted to reach out by sending my condolences on such a heartbreaking loss. May time heal your soul, and the positive memories of Mariana remain with you and your husband always,” one person commented.
“So heartbreaking. So very sorry or your loss. Sending love and healing your way,” added another.
Would you let someone kiss your baby?
Top Comments
Sorry this might be a dumb question but for any medical people out there, my Mum has suffered from cold sores in the past but hasn't had any recently. Do I let her kiss my newborn baby?
No, don't let her do it. People shouldn't have to be told not to kiss babies - I find the ignorance on this matter really frustrating.
The herpes virus exists in an infected person's body forever, regardless of whether or not they've had sores recently. While the virus is highly contagious when someone has a visible cold sore, this is not the only time it is contagious. Infected people can still spread the virus when there are no cold sore symptoms at all, via a process called viral shedding. While the risk is much, much, much lower when there are no sores, there is still a risk.
I have the virus, and having weighed the risks, I feel it's OK for me to kiss people when I don't have symptoms. However when it comes to the life of a vulnerable baby, the risk is too high. I would never kiss someone's baby.
If she doesn't have a cold sore and doesn't kiss the baby on the lips it should be fine. I also have the virus and kissed my newborn niece and nephew on the head regularly and they are fine. However I wouldn't have kissed them if I had a cold sore at the time.
The kiss does not have to be on the lips to be dangerous. Babies have died from lip on skin contact.
Kiss baby's hand, baby puts hand in mouth......
It's just not worth it libb, it's all well and good to say "I've done it regularly so it won't happen to me" but do you think the person who kissed Baby Mariana thought that she would contract the virus & die?