It is difficult to resist hugging and kissing newborn babies, but it is not recommended that visitors do so under any circumstances. Newborns have an immature immune system, and any viruses or bacteria that enter their bodies could have serious consequences. Now more than ever, with the Covid at ease, let no one touch or kiss your baby .
Although it seems that the worst part has passed, we can now leave home, visit relatives and meet other people, you cannot lower your guard, because the coronavirus continues to circulate. Therefore, if you go out to the street or if you receive visits from family and friends at home, it is important that parents do not allow anyone to kiss the baby , nor do they allow them to pick him up or touch his face or hands.
If the person is healthy, there is practically no risk, but if he has an infection or disease, the risk to a baby can be very high. You should wear a mask , wash your hands frequently and always keep a safe distance as a precaution.
Don’t let your guard down
We know that the coronavirus affects children less than older people, and that if they get sick, infected newborns experience mild symptoms. We even knew surprising cases, such as Jorge, a 580 gram premature baby who has managed to overcome Covid-19.
But it is a mistake to believe that babies are not infected and that they do not develop complications, since there have been very serious cases (some children developed Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystemic Syndrome), and although they have been exceptional cases, unfortunately babies have also died due to Covid- 19. Nor can we ignore that, being a new virus, we do not know all the consequences of the disease. So better to be safe.
The contagion route of Covid-19 is through the droplets that infected people expel when they speak, cough or sneeze, and of course kisses and close contact pose a great risk . Also gestures such as touching his face or his little hands, since the person could have the virus on his hands and the baby could put his hands in his mouth and become infected.
For those who find it violent to ask visitors who may be tempted to touch or kiss the baby not to do so, there are deterrents such as “Do Not Touch” signs that are placed in the stroller or crib for people to hold onto. hands away from the baby. There will be those who find it unfriendly and exaggerated, but sometimes all precautions are little.
Of course, with the slightest suspicion of contagion, meetings should be avoided. People with symptoms compatible with COVID-19 should remain isolated in their homes, and not go outside or receive visitors. Nor if you have had the disease recently (even if you no longer have symptoms), as there is still a risk of contagion, so it is recommended to maintain isolation for 14 days from the onset of symptoms.
Not only because of Covid-19
We say that now more than ever, because we know that Covid continues to circulate and until there is a vaccine it will continue to do so. It is a very contagious virus and even people without symptoms could be infected and spread the virus without knowing it.
But any virus or bacteria is a great threat to a newborn baby, especially when he has not yet received the first vaccines.
The herpes simplex virus (HSV), for example, causes ulcers around the mouth, but there are asymptomatic people who do not have wounds and are still contagious. In adults it is a mild condition, but in a baby it could cause neonatal herpes or develop meningitis, -since it is the same virus- and put their life at serious risk.
In Babies and more | The Ultimate Newborn Visitor’s Guide
