Kaiden McCormick (middle, right), pictured on his doting father's chest (middle), died from multiple organ failure after being kissed by him. Carl Maclaren and Kaiden's devastated mother Marrie-Claire McCormick (left) were shocked to discover their baby had been struck down with the herpes simplex virus. Ms McCormick, 28, said: 'I asked how it was possible for a baby to have herpes. When they said it was transmitted via the cold sore virus I looked at Carl and he instinctively touched his lip. In that moment, I saw his heart break in two.' Kaiden died after spending six weeks on a life-support machine at Liverpool's Alder Hey Hospital.
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which is carried by most people, but usually lies dormant.
It can be caught through physical contact, such as kissing or even breastfeeding.
While most adults carry the virus without any health risks, it can be fatal for babies because of their poor immunity.
Those in the first six weeks of life are most at risk.
While the virus can be notoriously hard to detect, early signs include a baby not feeding, drowsiness, fever, floppiness and unusual crying.
The Royal College of Midwives recommends that anyone with a cold sore or symptoms of an impending outbreak should avoid kissing a baby as HSV is most virulent when the skin is broken.
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