Mothers with a herpes simplex outbreak should practice contact precautions, by keeping the lesions covered so that the infant is not exposed to the lesions. Breastfeeding is safe, as long as the infant is not exposed to the herpes lesions while breastfeeding. If herpes simplex lesions are on the nipple/areolar region, expressed breastmilk should be discarded¹.

Toddlers who contract oral herpes simplex may transmit herpes simplex virus to their mothers’ nipple/areolar regions via breastfeeding. The decision to continue breastfeeding in this situation should be individualized, given that the toddler is already infected with oral herpes simplex.