Mom says think twice before letting anyone hold your baby ‘after her 8-day-old newborn died after being kissed’!

Holding a newborn is often one of the greatest joys of new parenthood. I really think that most parents would agree. The neonatal nurses and your doctor will demonstrate the best techniques for picking up, carrying, comforting, and laying down your newborn. You’ll get lots of practice before you’re on your own. Hand hygiene is very important when handling your baby, especially during the first two months. During this time, your baby hasn’t been vaccinated against diseases that can be spread through germs on unwashed hands. This unfortunate mother, Abigail, says that you might want to think twice before letting anyone else hold your baby. Her worst nightmare came true when her 8-day-old daughter, Aliza, died after being kissed.

According to Abigail and her partner, Tyler, he newborn baby was only one week old when she died after developing neonatal herpes from the HSV-1 virus. For the first 36 hours of her life, Aliza was seemingly healthy. However, after this short time frame Abigail, Aliza’s 19-year-old mother, noticed that her daughter had developed a fever and become very lethargic; so much so that she lost all interest in food. The newborn’s condition was rapidly deteriorating, as the disease was devouring her brain and lungs, leaving her having seizures and difficult breathing.

When the doctors initially told Abigail that there was still some hope that Aliza would make it, they had no idea that their little girl would eventually lose her life to the virus. Only a few weeks after being diagnosed with the virus herself, Aliza passed away. The medics explained that it’s likely she contracted the virus from someone who kissed her shortly after they themselves had been infected.

Although doctors can offer a guess as to how Abigail’s daughter might have contracted the virus, such as from kissing or contaminated hands, there is no certain way to know for sure. Friend stated, “Aliza was healthy for about a day and a half. Her body was destroyed by the virus in six and a half days. She was visited by a few family members and friends when she was born. The virus is common, so there’s no way to tell who passed it to her. For all I know, it could have even been a doctor.”