I really don't think nannies need to be kissing the children, but big hugs are certainly a good thing.

Anonymous



That statistic is bullshit. I've never had a cold sore in my life, nor has anyone in my family, my boyfriend, or any of my close friends. Guess we make up that 10%?

You can be positive for the virus and not have any outbreaks.

I was a nanny and have had cold sores since I was little.
I was always really careful about kissing the kids when I had one but one day the 4yo had a white spot on his tongue, His Mom took him to the doctor and the doctor said it was the herpes virus. I kind of blurted out " Oh I get those".
The next day she said I couldnt kiss the kids anymore, Couldnt use the same cups/utensils etc, I felt awful but I do think she overreacted.

I have now been married for 7 years and my partner has never had a cold sore.

That statistic is bullshit. I've never had a cold sore in my life, nor has anyone in my family, my boyfriend, or any of my close friends. Guess we make up that 10%?

60-95% of the population is seropositive for HSV-1, depending on where you are.

I am not afraid of anything. I am vaccinated against hep b, have had chixken pox/herpes simplex, don't plan on havimg sex with any of them so stds aren't an issue. Frankly the flu or common cold are more problematic and considering I ride mass transit, I am probably a walking petri dish. I wash my hands at least 30 times a day so I think that's about all you can do.

I wouldn't hire a nanny with any contagious disease and if I were a nanny, I wouldn't work for a family who jad herpes. HIV positive, if I knew. However, neither party can ask, can they?

Anonymous wrote:It's very unusual that every member of the family comes down with cold sores at the same time. They aren't all that contagious if you take normal precautions.

It's a pretty silly thing to worry about.

For me, frequent hand washing is very normal. But for others, not so much. Pretty disgusting actually, when I see parents who don't teach their sons to hand wash after every bathroom visit. They seem to be generally better about teaching their daughters.

It's very unusual that every member of the family comes down with cold sores at the same time. They aren't all that contagious if you take normal precautions.

It's a pretty silly thing to worry about.

Anonymous wrote:I would be more concerned about a nanny having oral herpes consideringe she'll most likely be in close contact with my children and their food, etc.

Your herpied kid wouldn't be in close contact with the nanny? If you or your spouse gets the blisters, it's only a matter of time until your kid gets the virus... Unless you are BOTH hygienically vigilant.

I would be more concerned about a nanny having oral herpes consideringe she'll most likely be in close contact with my children and their food, etc.

I actually had the same issue a couple yrs ago. My MB had herpes and i knew bc I saw it on a medical form (that she gave me to turn in, so she knows i saw it!). I told my DH who freaked out and told me not to kiss DC on the lips, etc. but I didnt really think much of it, and assumed she [MB] was being treated for it....not sure now though, if i should have been more concerned..

It is highly contagious if any of them has poor hygiene habits, such as not washing their hands appropriately, etc.