Mother blames misdiagnosed cold sores for newborn's fatal herpes infection
A 22-year-old mother says doctors dismissed her mouth ulcers as hormonal, later learning they were HSV-1 that infected her baby, who died in intensive care.
On the day she delivered her daughter Magnolia, 22-year-old Meg Edmonds noticed painful ulcers on her lips and inside her mouth. Medical staff reassured her that the lesions were hormonal and suggested she drink more water, despite her asking whether they might be cold sores. She kept breastfeeding, later expressing milk when the sores spread to her nipples, until Magnolia became lethargic, developed breathing problems, a rash, and a sore eye.
After a week in Birmingham Children’s Hospital, the baby suffered multi-organ failure and died from HSV-1 neonatal herpes. Tests confirmed the virus, and Edmonds was only told on the day of her daughter's death that her own sores were likely a primary HSV infection. The family now backs The Lullaby Trust’s Infection Prevention Week to raise awareness about cold-sore risks during pregnancy.
Why it matters
The story underscores how misdiagnosing HSV-1 in pregnant women can lead to fatal neonatal infections.
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