Finding out that you have herpes during pregnancy can be a source of worry and anxiety. But the good news is that in most cases with appropriate treatment, women with genital herpes give birth to healthy babies and don’t pass on the virus. Let’s talk more about herpes and pregnancy !
Risk Factors and Transmission
Genital herpes (GH) is a chronic sexually transmitted viral disease caused by a Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV – mostly type 2, but sometimes type 1, which usually causes infection of the lips and mouth). It is mainly transmitted during sex through skin & mucosa contact (oral, genital, anal) with skin, sores or fluids of someone infected with the virus. Herpes can also be transmitted from mother to child during delivery.
A higher risk of getting genital herpes is linked to : woman, sexually active person, have multiple sexual partners, people with weakened immune system, and have unprotected sex.
What are the Sign & Symptoms of Genital Herpes ?
Most primary genital herpes infections are asymptomatic or not recognized, but they can also cause severe disease. Meanwhile, recurrences are often less severe than the primary infection and tend to decrease over time.
Primary Genital Herpes
The characteristic lesions presents as vesicles, pustules, and erythematous ulcers. These lesions commonly occur on and around the genitals, anus, buttocks. Another symptoms of a primary infection often include pain, itching, fever, malaise, swollen lymph nodes, dysuria, vaginal discharge, and bleeding between menstruation cycle.
Recurrence Genital Herpes
The lesions of recurrent genital herpes often characterized by multiple small, grouped, vesicular lesions in the genital area, which can occur anywhere in the perigenital region, including the groin, buttocks, and thighs. Reccurence lesions tend to be less severe than the first one.
What are the Chances of Spreading the Infection to a Baby?
The risk of passing the virus to the baby varies greatly depending on when the mother was infected.
Infection Before or at the Beginning of Pregnancy
Women who become infected with herpes before pregnancy, or in the first three months of pregnancy, rarely infect their babies with it. The women’s body will have enough time to produce protective antibodies, then it will pass on to the baby through the placenta.
Infection in the Last Trimester of Pregnancy
Women who contracts genital herpes in the last three months of pregnancy, have a higher risk of passing the virus to their babies. During natural childbirth, a baby can come into contact with the virus as they move through the cervix and vaginal canal, and it can cause neonatal herpes in newborns.
What are the Consequences of Giving the Infection to a Baby ?
Neonatal herpes is a is a herpes infection in a newborn baby, caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. The prevalence of neonatal herpes varies from 1 case per 12500 to 1700 live births. Primary maternal genital herpes is associated with a risk of neonatal infection of 25% to 50% for vaginally-delivered babies, and accounts for 50% to 80% of cases of neonatal HSV infection. Neonatal herpes can lead to serious complications including brain damage, eye issues, or even infant death. Some research also suggest genital herpes in pregnancy may lead to miscarriage or premature delivery.
FAQs : Genital Herpes During Pregnancy
How is Genital Herpes Diagnosed During Pregnancy ?
Diagnosis is made by clinical examination and laboratory testing (polymerase chain reaction (PCR), viral culture, or serology), depending on the clinical presentation and facility availability. For patients with active lesions, a swab from the lesion will be taken to confirm the viral infection.
How is Genital Herpes Treated During Pregnancy ?
Pregnant womans with genital herpes are often treated with antiviral medications such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir. Studies show that suppressive antiviral therapy in late pregnancy (beginning at 36 weeks) prevents clinical recurrences, cesarean sections associated with genital herpes, and the risk of HSV-viral shedding at delivery.
Can You Give Birth Naturally if You Have Genital Herpes?
Most women with herpes can have a vaginal birth. Women with genital herpes are examined carefully for any symptoms before giving birth. If a women shows signs of infection, doctors may recommend a cesarean section to lower the risk of transmitting the infection to the baby. Cesarean sections lower the risk by delivering the baby through incisions in the abdomen and uterus. This prevents them from contracting the virus in the birth canal.
How Can You Prevent Your Baby From Getting Herpes?
While no method can guarantee the prevention of a fetus or baby from acquiring an infection, a person can lower the risk by :
- Tell your doctor right away, if you are pregnant and think you may have been infected recently.
- Abstain from sexual activity with people who have (or could have) genital herpes.
- Using a condom when you’re free of sores. Even when you don’t have sores, it’s possible to spread the virus to your partner (condoms can reduce the risk of transmission but aren’t 100% effective ).
The Takeaway
Genital herpes can present challenges during pregnancy. It’s important to get a proper diagnosis, and treatment, if you’ve been exposed to genital herpes so that you and your doctor can make a plan to avoid passing the herpes virus to your baby.