Abstract
A survey of herpes simplex infections in otherwise normal healthy children under the age of 13 yr over a 15 yr period from 1964-1979 at the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children [Perth, Australia], was presented. This survey highlighted the unnecessarily high transference rate of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection to children 3 yr old within the home environment. There were 340 cases of non-fatal hospitalized HSV infection in children < 3 yr old, of which 63 were ocular infections. For all age groups, 145 children were hospitalized on .gtoreq. 1 occasion with ocular HSV infection. Of these children, 15 developed intraocular HSV infection and 27 had a permanent visual acuity of < 6/12. As a result of this survey the Princess Margaret Hospital advised parents to cuddle but do not to kiss the child when the parent has an acute coldsore.

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