Whether you know it or not, you very well may be carrying the Herpes Simplex Virus-1, also known as HSV-1. According to the World Health Organization, 67 percent of people carry the virus, though many never show any symptoms throughout the duration of their lives.
Whether the virus goes unnoticed or reveals itself in the form of a cold sore, it is generally completely harmless to adults. For babies, however, coming into contact with HSV-1 can be deadly, as Jeff Gober knows all too well.
While his baby girl Mallory was never kissed on the mouth or in contact with someone who had an active cold sore, she still suffered a slow and painful death from HSV-1, likely because she was held or touched by someone carrying the virus who didn’t properly wash his/her hands.
While Jeff has remained largely silent since the death of his baby girl, he’s now sharing his family’s grievous experience with the world, in hopes that it can save a life.
“If any good can come from her passing and prevent someone else from experiencing the heartache, then I would be remiss not to make an effort,” Jeff wrote in a viral Facebook post that has now been shared over 275,000 times.