18-day-old baby dies after contracting meningitis from a kiss

An 18-day-old girl has died after being diagnosed with a form of meningitis that is directly linked to herpes.

Mariana Reese Sifrit was born on July 1 to parents Shane and Nicole – only six days before the couple finally tied the knot.

But only hours after the wedding, the couple noticed that their daughter had stopped eating and appeared lethargic so they rushed her to a nearby hospital.

Yesterday, Mariana died in hospital after being diagnosed with meningitis that is linked to HSV-1, a form of herpes that can cause cold sores.

It is now believed that Mariana contracted the virus from a kiss by someone with the virus, after both her parents tested negative for it.

During her time in hospital, medics gave six blood transfusions to the youngster as they attempted to save her life – and even transferred her to a specialised hospital before her death.

Speaking to local media, Shane Sifrit said: ‘I always thought, like, this is stuff that just happens and it’ a shame and never really, never thought it would happen to me … [I] was not prepared at all.’

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Her mother, Nicole Sifrit, also paid tribute to the youngster on Facebook.

‘Our princess Mariana Reese Sifrit gained her angel wings at 8:41 am this morning in her daddy’s arms and her mommy right beside her,’ she wrote.

‘She is now no longer suffering and is with the Lord. Thank you to everyone who has followed her journey and supported us through this. In her 18 days of life she made a huge impact on the world and we hope with Mariana’s story we save numerous newborns life. R.I.P. sweet angel.’