Herpes simplex of the nipple: infant-to-mother transmission.

Intrafamilial spread of herpes simplex is a recognized problem. A case is presented in which a 15-month-old child was infected by a five-year-old sibling with presumed gingivostomatitis. The young child then transmitted symptomatic herpes infection to both maternal nipples during breast feeding. Although mouth-to-breast transmission of herpes simplex virus may be rare, it is appropriate to advise breast-feeding mothers of children with herpes gingivostomatitis of this possibility.