Herpes simplex virus in pregnancy

The herpes simplex virus is a viral infection caused by the HSV virus, the infection of which is mild. However, (HSV) can cause serious symptoms and consequences, although rare. There are two types of Herpes Simplex Virus that can affect the newborn:

• HSV-1: causes cold sores mainly
• HSV-2: causes genital herpes mainly (it is a sexually transmitted disease). It is the type of herpes that most often infects newborns.

Risk of contagion

The herpes virus can spread to newborn at the time of delivery if it is present in the birth canal during birth. In some cases HSV also can infect the baby if a person with cold sores kisses the newborn. The probability of contagion to the baby is higher if the pregnant woman is infected for the first time with genital HSV during pregnancy (especially in the third trimester). A newly infected mother has not yet produced antibodies enough against the virus, so there is no natural protection for the baby tobefore and during birth. If we add to this that the recently acquired genital HSV infection, is active, the virus is likely present in the birth canal during birth.

If the mother has outbreaks of genital herpes before pregnancy, has a very low risk of infecting the baby, in addition, your immune system has already produced antibodies that are passed to the baby in the bloodstream through the placenta.

Symptoms to watch out for

Symptoms of herpes infection in the newborn may appear at the time of birth or late, up to the fourth week of life. The blisters or vesicles typical of herpes infection all over the newborn's skin, can also affect the eyes and inflammation of the baby's central nervous system (encephalitis). The newborn has fever and general ill feeling.

Herpes infection can spread throughout the newborn's body, damage internal organs and produce death.

Prevention and treatment

If herpes infection is detected in the mother before delivery it is possible that he decides to carry out a cesarean section so that the baby does not come into contact with the virus as it passes through the birth canal. Are also given antiviral medications to fight infection. Women with genital herpes outbreaks who become pregnant can give birth through normal delivery.

The best prevention is to avoid genital herpes infection in late pregnancy.