Talk About Herpes | Sore on Cheek
Experience…
Well my son was diagnosed with herpes im guessing its the first one because he gets it on his cheek, But as a mom I feel soo guilty I need some positive feedback and answers. Me myself doesn`t have it but im not sure if he caught it from the hospital, my son was takin to the ER and the bed sheet was dirty so I went to the nurse to change the bed sheet but by the time I had came back my stupid boyfriend had layed him down and im sooo confuse but days later my son started to get these little bumps and within the day worsten, the blisters started to bleed and pop, my poor baby wasn`t beening him self. So please I beg for help im sooooo stress and I feel guilty my son is gonna grow up and hate me for his STD im a single mother PLEASE HELP [47156]
Gender: F
Age: 22
Married: N
State: CA
Country: Los Angeles
The short answer
Finding a herpes sore on your child's face is upsetting, and many parents blame themselves. Cold sores in children are very common and are usually caught through ordinary, loving contact. With the right care, they heal on their own and don't define your child's future.
Key facts
- Most people get the cold sore virus (HSV-1) as children through everyday close contact, such as a kiss from someone with a cold sore. It is not a sign that anyone did something wrong.
- Cold sores can appear anywhere on the face, including the cheek.
- In a child, herpes on the face is usually HSV-1 and is not a sexually transmitted infection.
- Washing hands after touching a sore and not sharing cups or towels during an outbreak helps stop it spreading.
- Other skin infections, such as impetigo, can look similar, so a proper check matters.
When to talk to a doctor
Take a child to a doctor if sores are spreading, very painful or near the eye, if they have swollen, painful gums with mouth sores, if they are not drinking, or if sores have not started to heal within 10 days. Babies under a few months old with blisters need urgent care.
Related reading
Sources
- NHS – Cold sores
- MedlinePlus (NIH) – Herpes – oral
- CDC – About Genital Herpes
- World Health Organization – Herpes simplex virus fact sheet
This is general information, not medical advice. Please see our medical disclaimer. Section added October 2026.
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