Mum’s warning: “Stop kissing babies that are not yours”

After going through what no parent should ever experience, a mum is now warning others about a virus that’s deadly to newborns.

Sadly, Presley Trejo’s daughter Emerson passed away from the HSV-1 virus when she was just 12 days old.  

“I know my family and I have been quiet about what exactly happened to our sweet girl. I wasn’t going to say anything yet but I’m tired of the speculation and it’s time to bring awareness to the terrible illness that took our baby away from us,” she wrote in a Facebook post. 

“Emerson ended up passing away from what is called the HSV-1 virus. It’s the Herpes Simplex Virus most commonly known as the cold sore virus or the ‘kiss of death’ for infants.”

“She just slept… and slept… and slept”

Recently sharing her story with 7Life, Presley says Emerson was born July 25, 2018, and was discharged two days later. At a routine check-up a couple of days later, a pediatrician found a small blister inside Emerson’s mouth but said it was very common and nothing to worry about. 

Four days later, Emerson stopped breathing and was admitted to the hospital. Again, Presley was told the blister was normal and Emerson was put on fluids.

“She just slept… and slept… and slept… she wasn’t waking up very often to feed, so that concerned me,” the mum says.

Presley added that despite her concerns, the spot was “never tested” and three days later Emerson had stabilised and was discharged. 

“I’ll never forget this day”

Once home, Emerson’s appetite still hadn’t returned. The mum was told that once the fluids left her system she would start feeding as usual. 

Presley wasn’t convinced and turned to the internet where she read about the virus. Emerson’s symptoms matched exactly.

Expressing her concern to her doctor, Presley was told not to worry, but the doctor said that if Emerson didn’t wake for her evening feed she was to bring her in to be checked over. Emerson woke, so the mum planned a day out for the family the next day.

“I’ll never forget this day… what started out as such a beautiful perfect day would end up in the most horrific nightmare of my life,” she told 7Life.

Later that day Presley pulled her daughter out of her car seat. Her little girl started having seizures and began to change colour. Emergency services were called and they performed CPR.

Tragically, by the time Emerson arrived at the hospital, it was too late.

“In Emerson’s case, when we arrive to the hospital, her liver was completely gone. Her kidneys were right behind. Everything was failing. She was having multiple seizures until she was brain dead,” the brave mum said on Facebook. 

“Her heart stopped beating and the only thing that kept her alive were machines. My daughter, my own flesh and blood who I created out of love, was on life support and I had to be the one to pull the plug on her life.”

“Stop kissing babies that are not yours”

Now the mum wants everyone to know how dangerous kissing a newborn can be.

“Everyone needs to know about this virus and what it does to children and their families! PEOPLE!!!! STOP KISSING BABIES THAT ARE NOT YOURS!!!!! WASH YOUR HANDS WHEN YOU ARE AROUND NEWBORNS!!!!! I have seen stories about other infants passing from this same virus but you never think it’s going to happen to you. 

“Well this time, it did. … it happened right here to us. Our perfectly healthy, happy, BEAUTIFUL angel is no longer here with us because of a terrible virus that people need to be more aware of.”

What are the symptoms of HSV infection?

Unfortunately, adults infected with this virus shed it through their saliva. This can happen even if they aren’t experiencing symptoms of the herpes virus. Here’s what you need to know.

• The first signs a baby may be infected with HSV-1 is a fever, lack of appetite and small skin blisters. Later symptoms include seizures and lethargy. 
• The symptoms can appear 2 to 12 days after infection. 
• If you’re concerned that your newborn may have been infected, seek medical attention immediately.