PARENT ALERT
Contagious disease exposure in room ____________on___________.
HERPES SIMPLEX (COLD SORES)
WHAT IS IT? A viral infection that can cause a variety of signs and symptoms in different age groups. In early childhood, herpes simplex most commonly causes blister-like sores in the mouth, around the lips, and skin that is in contact with the mouth, such as a sucked thumb or finger.
First or primary infection symptoms may include: fever, irritability, tender, swollen lymph nodes, painful, small fluid-filled blisters (called vesicles) in the mouth and on the gums and lips. Vesicles weep clear fluid, bleed, and are slow to crust over. After the first infection, subsequent infections may occur with clusters of blisters on the lips, commonly called cold sores or fever blisters. Virus can be spread by people with or without symptoms.
WHERE DID IT COME FROM? It came from the infected saliva of another human or open sores. Certain triggers can make the virus active including: illness, sun exposure, menstrual period, injury, emotional stress, and surgery.
WHEN CAN YOU CATCH IT? While lesions are present and for at least 1 week during primary infection. During reactivations, people are most contagious for 3 to 4 days after symptoms first appear.
HOW CAN YOU CATCH IT? By getting infected saliva in one's mouth (sharing bottles, pacifiers, spoons, kissing, etc.) and touching infected sores then scratching your skin.
HOW LONG BEFORE SYMPTOMS APPEAR? Two (2) to fourteen (14) days after contact.
WHAT ARE POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS? Complications are rare. Rare complications can include eye infections, vaginitis, encephalitis, or in the case of a child with a skin condition, a full body rash (eczema herpeticum).
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
- Meticulous handwashing!!
WHAT WILL THE STAFF DO?
- Exclude children with mouth sores who are drooling and/or cannot take liquids by mouth.
- Sanitize toys etc.
- Meticulous handwashing!!
- Follow site's infection control policies and distribution of Parent Alert.
WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR THE INFECTED CHILD?
- Provide plenty of rest and fluids.
- The lesions can be painful and interfere with eating; serve cool bland foods.
- Use pain relievers if suggested by the physician.
- Ill child to stay home and avoid close contacts with immunocompromised or unvaccinated individuals.
WHEN CAN THE CHILD RETURN TO CLASS? Child's mouth ulcers and vesicles have resolved, is no longer drooling, able to take liquids by mouth, and meeting inclusion criteria e.g. no fever and able to participate with the group. If you have any questions, please contact your childcare provider and healthcare provider.
References: WHO, 2023 , Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools, American Academy of Pediatrics, 5th Edition.