Cold Sore on 2Yr Old

I did some research on this when I thought my 3yo had a cold sore (it turned out to be a canker sore, totally different.) My husband gets cold sores and he is very careful, but it's impossible to be 100% careful.

Anyway, what I learned in my research is that most people - like 90% - have the virus in our bodies even if it never causes any symptoms or infection. You would have to talk to your doctor about it, and I'm not a medical professional - but my guess is that your son inherited the genetic likelihood to have the outbreaks from his dad/grandma. I've been with my husband for 16 years and I don't get cold sores - but I'm positive I've been exposed, and your son would be exposed at some point in school or whatever.

I understand how you feel - I freaked out over my son even though I somewhat expected it and still expect it to happen with one or both of my kids. But it is very, very common. It's natural to blame your mother-in-law, but I wouldn't expect my husband not to kiss my kids (unless he has an active outbreak, and they understand that) and I don't think I could act like a leper around my grandkids, especially if I was on anti-viral drugs as it sounds like your mother-in-law was.

It is a shame but I don't think your MIL, or anyone else for that matter, is to blame. We, meaning the human population, comes into contact with all kinds of bacteria, viruses and diseases. A large amount of our population carries the herpes virus that causes cold sores so yes, your MIL may have had something to do with it, but so could a lot of people. Your son became sick and cold sores are common for certain people who have a fever. Sometimes people call them fever blisters for this reason specifically, although they are still cold sores nonetheless. I've been conflicted with canker sores for all of my life. My M. had them a lot too. She also had cold sores frequently (not on repressive meds either), we lived in the same house, she kissed me all the time and I never got one. But I have always, for as long as I can remember, had canker sores, which are all the same virus. I wouldn't blame my M. because I have canker sores, assuming they came from her considering I've had them from such a young age. These are just things that happen in life. Yes he will have it forever but it's a very common and treatable condition. God knows there are much worse things that can happen. This is not a pleasure but there are much worse things to be conflicted with.

Make sure it is not impetigo. We thought my son had a cold sore but it seemed to get bigger, spread and started to ooze and the Dr's told us it was Impetigo. Impetigo is very contagious and you either need an ointment or antibiotic to get rid of it and stop the spreading.

I think you might be overreacting. It's a cold sore. Such a huge percentage of our population has HSV-I (the cold sore-type herpes).

Fortunately, many many people who come in contact with the virus get cold sores once and then NEVER ever have them again. The virus can be dormant in the system forever or the virus can flare up due to stress, weakened immune system, etc.

Also, since so many people have HSV-I (and don't know it because they had a cold sore ONE time but have never had another outbreak), pretty much anyone could have passed it to him. If your son has ever shared toys that have been in the mouth, if he puts his mouth on a shopping cart, if he touches a public surface and then touches his mouth, if he...you get my point - there are lots of ways that the virus can be spread.

I know it is unsightly, but really this isn't the end of the world. Chances are as he grows up he will share utensils and cups with friends and kiss his girlfriends so his chances of obtaining the virus are pretty good. Cut your mother-in-law some slack; she didn't give your son a life-threatening disease :D