Newborn dies after catching herpes virus possibly spread by kiss
- 7 years ago
IOWA CITY, IOWA — An 18-day-old baby girl in Iowa died after contracting a herpes virus that was possibly spread by a kiss.
Nicole and Shane Sifrit, of West Des Moines, welcomed their daughter Mariana Sifrit to the world on July 1. The couple got married on July 7, the same day that they noticed their baby had taken ill, WTOC reported.
The baby was rushed to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with Meningitis HSV-1, which was caused by the herpes simplex virus. Both parents tested negative for the virus, suggesting the virus was likely passed onto the newborn through a kiss from someone who carries it.
According to the Meningitis Research Foundation, many people carry the herpes simplex virus without ever knowing they have it. They can spread the infection unknowingly this way.
"Don't let people kiss your baby and make sure they ask before they pick up your baby," Nicole Sifrit told NBC Chicago.
The devastated couple urged other parents to pay close attention to the people around their babies and reminded them to make sure people wash their hands when handling their children. Medical experts say there is no cure for viral meningitis, but washing hands is a good precautionary move.
Nicole and Shane Sifrit, of West Des Moines, welcomed their daughter Mariana Sifrit to the world on July 1. The couple got married on July 7, the same day that they noticed their baby had taken ill, WTOC reported.
The baby was rushed to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with Meningitis HSV-1, which was caused by the herpes simplex virus. Both parents tested negative for the virus, suggesting the virus was likely passed onto the newborn through a kiss from someone who carries it.
According to the Meningitis Research Foundation, many people carry the herpes simplex virus without ever knowing they have it. They can spread the infection unknowingly this way.
"Don't let people kiss your baby and make sure they ask before they pick up your baby," Nicole Sifrit told NBC Chicago.
The devastated couple urged other parents to pay close attention to the people around their babies and reminded them to make sure people wash their hands when handling their children. Medical experts say there is no cure for viral meningitis, but washing hands is a good precautionary move.