Genital herpes is a common condition in the United States. According to U.S. statics nationwide 16.2% of people living in America between the ages of 14 and 49 have the genital HSV-2 infection or genital herpes. In adults, this condition is sometimes debilitating, and painful. For an infant the consequences are far more dangerous. In infant’s the infection can cause life-long issues, and can even prove fatal. The condition can also complicate the pregnancy. Fortunately, statics also show that infection transmission from mother to infant is rare.
Most women and most men become aware of the infection when blister-like sores appear on and around the genitals. These symptoms are usually accompanied by flu-like symptoms of headaches, fever, and muscle ache. In women as the sores sometimes develop in the vagina symptoms also included discharge. If sores do not appear outside the vagina then a misdiagnosis of yeast infection or pelvic inflammatory disease is often given, and this can delay treatment.
During pregnancy, it is critical that women with the herpes virus seek medical treatment immediately. The doctor will need to know from the moment that the pregnancy is confirmed of the genital herpes virus diagnosis. The virus does increase the chances of miscarriage and premature labor. Other complications are also a possibility, but the statics are still on the baby’s side. While between 20% to 25% of all pregnant women are infected with genital herpes, only 0.01% or less have complications because of the virus.
Most at risk for complications are women who are infected with herpes during the last trimester or experience the first episode of genital herpes late in the pregnancy. Because of the short time left before the birth few if any antibodies will have had time to pass to the baby.
The birth process itself is the time of most risk for the baby. If the child passes through the birth canal, when the mother is experiencing an outbreak, is about to experience an outbreak, or contracted the infection during the second or third trimester than a cesarean is necessary, as this rules out any possibility of the infection being transmitted to the baby.
Another factor that can increase the baby’s risk of contracting the disease is premature birth, since again there’s less chance of receiving antibodies from the mother. Very rarely, does the virus transfer to the child through the placenta to the fetus. In those cases where it does occur, it is known as congenital herpes.
Seeking treatment early in pregnancy is again, of utmost importance as the virus warrants extra monitoring by a health care professional as early as possible. When there is no outbreak at the time of delivery, or there are no symptoms of a possible outbreak then it is safe to have a vaginal birth.
Most herpes medications to suppress symptoms cannot be used during pregnancy, although some mother’s are prescribed acyclovir during the third trimester to help suppress an outbreak near the time of birth. As the FDA does not approve the drug for use during pregnancy, a doctor will only prescribe it if the benefits of taking it, will out weight any possible risks.