While it can be tempting to hug, kiss, and play with every baby you encounter, you should really take a step back – literally – and think a moment before you approach.
Babies’ immune systems are weaker than that of adults’, and they haven’t had the time to be vaccinated from nearly as many diseases as we have. The likelihood of them getting ill or contracting an infection from interacting with you is incredibly high, and you should consider this carefully.
One misstep on your part could affect a child for the rest of their life.
That’s what happened with Amy Stinton’s son earlier this month.
Stinton had her son, Oliver, out with her when a stranger (she didn’t mention whom) kissed her son.
A few days later, Oliver had to be hospitalized for four days and remain on an IV drip the entire time. The stranger who had kissed him was carrying the herpes virus, and the virus had now travelled and infected Oliver, whose immune system wasn’t strong enough to keep the virus at bay.
Stinton took photos of her son’s condition and shared them online with a warning, “Thin before you kiss a baby next time.” Many people responded to her post, inquiring after Oliver’s condition. Thankfully, he is doing better “in himself,” and is not as “sore,” but his physical condition is still shocking.
Mothers on Facebook have spread Stinton’s post around, offered her their support, and even encouraged her to submit her story to the media.
Stinton, however, replied to say that she wanted to spend more time and energy focusing on her family rather than bring this to wider attention.
Whether Stinton planned on having her story go viral, it seems fairly evident that it will do so given the way others have responded and are continuing to respond to it. Although adults can survive – and even live normal lives – with particular medical conditions and infections, babies may not face the same reality.
It would do everyone well to be more attentive and careful when interacting with children to avoid having this story repeat itself in another family.
You can see Amy’s original photos and post here:
