Hi everyone, I received a call this morning from a mom of a 6 month old
girl. Breastfeeding has been going fine, no problems.  Unfortunately,
this mom discovered last week that she has contracted genital herpes
from her husband. . . apparently he had an affair.  She has been taking
Zovirax (acyclovir)
and was told she cannot breastfeed while taking this drug.  she has been
pumping and dumping, fully intends to resume breastfeeding once she is
off the drug.  She is desperate for any info., and is so very concerned
about the affect of this abrupt, temporary weaning on her daughter.  I
read her the info. on Zovirax in Tom Hale's book. I have the '95
edition.  Basically it sounds like she should not breastfeed, since she
could possibly pass the virus to the baby through her milk.
Any words of wisdom RE: how long she should avoid bfing, and continue
pump and dump?? Plus this poor woman is dealing with the anger and other
feelings that come from learning in this horrible way of her husband's
infidelity.
She told me she told her husband she's going to kill him if this screws
up the bfing with the baby.  I really admire her for her intention to
resume bfing when it's safe to do so, instead of just weaning and going
to ABM.Poor baby seems to be handling this well, but mom is torn up
about not being able to nurse. I advised lots and lots of cuddling,
rocking, holding baby, plus ways to distract baby at those times she
really wants to nurse.  Mom says she is doing this.
Is there anything else I should let this mom know??
She lives in West Virginia (I live in Pennsylvania)but called me ,
because she works in the health care field, and didn't want to call her
local LLL for fear that somehow gossip would spread.
TIA,
Ellen Vegh, LLLL in Pittsburgh, PA