Preventing infection in babies

Herpes simplex virus in a newborn baby is called neonatal herpes or neonatal HSV. In young babies who have immature immune systems, HSV infections can spread quickly if left untreated. This causes cell damage which can lead to permanent disability and can even be fatal. Recognising and treating neonatal herpes simplex virus early is essential.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is very common and highly contagious and usually spreads from person to person by direct contact. Around 70% of adults in the UK carry the HSV virus and many have no symptoms at all, but in others it can lead to cold sores, blisters on the finger (called herpetic whitlow) or genital ulcers/sores. Infections on other areas of the body including the breast are also possible, but less common.

In older children and adults with normal immune systems, HSV infections are not normally serious and get better without treatment. 

Find out more:

• Herpes simplex virus | WHO 
• Neonatal herpes (Neonatal HSC) | Bliss 

Group B Strep is one of the many bacteria that normally live in our bodies and usually cause no harm. It can be passed from person to person through direct physical contact, but it’s not a sexually transmitted disease.

Testing for Group B Strep is not routinely offered to pregnant women in the UK. It’s often found by chance after a swab or urine test for another reason. Even if you carry Group B Strep, it is unlikely that your baby will develop this infection, but the risk of your baby becoming unwell is higher if your baby is premature, if you have signs of infection in labour, or if your labour hasn’t started more than 24 hours after your waters break.  

Most early-onset Group B Strep infections can be prevented by antibiotics during labour. You should be offered these if you have tested positive for Group B Strep in pregnancy or if you have previously had a baby affected by a Group B Strep infection.

Find out more:

• Group B Strep Support 

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common virus that almost all children will have before they’re two years old. The virus is very contagious and causes cold-like symptoms such as runny or blocked nose, cough, sneezing, and high temperature, so parents often don’t know they’re caused by RSV.

The symptoms usually last one to three weeks, but if the lungs are affected, the symptoms can get worse and lead to bronchiolitis and viral pneumonia.

RSV can cause critical illness, particularly in babies who are born premature, or have other illnesses or underlying conditions. The risk of a serious infection falls as a baby gets older.

Find out more:

• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) | Bliss 
• Bronchiolitis and RSV | Asthma + Lung UK 

The Institute of Health Visiting have created some resources in response to the increase in respiratory illnesses such as Bronchiolitis, Strep A and Flu. These are in accessible formats and are designed to help you decide when to seek further help from your GP, health visitor, pharmacist or local emergency department.

 Read more:

• Respiratory illnesses | Institute of Health Visiting 

Improving understanding around protecting babies safe from infection 

After contacting several charities to see if they could facilitate long overdue research into neonatal herpes, but being told it was not within the scope of any of them, Sarah and James decided they needed to establish their own charity to help prevent more tragedies like Kit’s.

To that end, they launched the Kit Tarka Foundation with a mission to prevent newborn baby deaths through research and education, and deepen understanding around how to keep babies safe from infection.

With the sad news that Kit Tarka Foundation was winding down its activities in 2023, The Lullaby Trust felt  the work of this wonderful charity would fit perfectly with our own mission of saving more babies lives.

With our team of infant infection specialists, we have further developed the fantastic work of the Kit Tarka Foundation to widen the scope and cover a greater range of infant infections, with to the goal of ensuring this life saving information reaches as may families as possible.

Why an otter? 

Kit was given the middle name Tarka for Sarah’s love of swimming and James’ love of otters. He was their little otter who never got to swim. They noticed from the clothes that Kit wore that they also really liked the colour orange, and it became his colour. Friends and family wore orange flowers in remembrance of Kit at his funeral.

In memory of Kit and to recognise the outstanding work of the Kit Tarka Foundation, and with kind permission, we are happy to share that this little otter has joined us at The Lullaby Trust to help keep babies safe from infections.

We’ve created the Baby Check app for parents of babies up to six months of age. It includes a series of checks and questions that test for different symptoms, and lets parents know whether their baby needs to see a health professional. Find out more about the Baby Check app.

It can feel awkward asking people not to kiss your baby, and to wash their hands before touching or holding them. Here are a number of phrases that might help you word your request: