Baby almost dies after contracting herpes from a kiss on the lips

A mother has issued a warning to other parents after her one-year-old daughter almost died from a kiss on the lips.

Brogan Thomas and Connor Merritt’s daughter, Kaylah, was hospitalised for four days last month after an unknown family member kissed her on the lips while they had a cold sore.

After the incident, the one-year-old soon developed a rash across her body.

“Kaylah was crying so hard, I knew it could only mean she was in pain,” Brogan said. “We were at home and I was about to put her in the bath when I suddenly saw all the marks on her legs.”

The 22-year-old continued, “I was terrified, my first thought was it had something to do with meningitis because she had it before. I instantly knew we had to take her to the hospital.”

Upon arrival at their local hospital, the tot was diagnosed with Eczema Herpeticum – a viral infection caused by the herpes virus. It took two rounds of antibiotics and several creams to eventually sooth her skin.

Now, her parents are warning others about the dangers of kissing a baby on the mouth.

“The doctors told us that someone with a cold sore must have kissed her on the lips and because babies’ immune systems are not strong enough, she developed the rash,” Brogan said.

“When the doctors told me how dangerous it was I cried and cried, thinking how I could have lost her due to a silly kiss.”

Yet despite going to the hospital immediately, doctors stressed to the couple that it could have been more serious.

“We could have lost her,” Brogan added. “I was so relieved when Kaylah was out of danger.”

Although she left hospital four days later, the couple’s daughter still needs to take daily medication to ensure that the virus has gone and must also attend doctor’s appointments on a weekly basis.

“I am over the moon Kaylah’s home now and enjoying herself with her toys and extra cuddles,” Brogan continued. “I just want other parents to know, you don’t have to be a physically ill to harm a baby – you can just be a carrier of the virus and still affect them.”

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for non-stop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyleUK.

Read more from Yahoo Style UK:

People are going crazy over a gender reveal lasagne – complete with pink or blue cheese

Would you leave your five-month-old baby with someone else overnight?

Should women be able to store their eggs for longer?