Herpes in Pregnancy

A recent study revealed that around 20% of pregnant women suffer from genital herpes. Genital herpes infection during pregnancy does not mean that the child will have physical abnormalities after birth. Many times, women infected with this virus give birth to a healthy child. The probability of an infected mother passing the virus to the unborn child is low. Research has shown that there are 20 - 30% chances of baby getting contracted with the virus.

Herpes in Pregnancy
Although the probability of getting infected with herpes is low, certain preventive measures have to be taken to ensure that the newborn doesn't contract the disease. Factors that can contribute in transmitting the virus to the baby are as follows:

• The baby getting exposed to herpes lesions at the time of delivery
• Presence of disease fighting antibodies is less; In case the mother has not yet produced any antibodies, then the risk of disease transmission is very high.
• In certain situations, if the baby has sufficient time to acquire antibodies from the mother before delivery, then probably the child won't be affected. This can happen only if herpes in pregnancy affects during the first two trimesters. Women acquiring the infection during the last trimester do not get adequate time to supply antibodies to the baby.

The transmission rate is highest in case the woman contracts the infection late in pregnancy. The risk of transmission is very low for women who get herpes before pregnancy. In some cases, women who have outbreak of herpes several times during pregnancy, surprisingly do not transmit the infection to the body. This is because they do not acquire herpes at the time of delivery. Women suffering from long standing or recurring genital herpes develop immunity against the virus. In such cases, the baby rarely gets infected with the virus.

Treatment for Genital Herpes in Pregnancy
Treatment for herpes infection in pregnancy involves the use of antiviral medications. These medicines have been effective to control and even prevent outbreaks of genital herpes. Side effects of these medications is rare which ensures their safety for use. Birth defects that may occur due to intake of these medicines are minor and not a cause of concern. Following are the medications useful for the treatment of genital herpes:

• Valacyclvir
• Famciclovir
• Acyclovir

A study in which 1000 women were registered with acyclovir showed very minor side effects. Hence, many doctors often recommend the use of acyclovir when it comes to treating genital herpes in pregnancy.

Genital Herpes Affecting the Baby
If the infection is passed on to the baby during pregnancy, then the child may develop few health problems. However, mostly a minor rash on the skin is observed. A rash on the mouth or eyes is an indication that the child has been infected with the virus. In few cases, the infection spreads and affects the entire body. All infants suspected to have contracted herpes infection should be given IV acyclovir. Also, the type of virus determines the body parts that may get affected. In case the baby is infected with HSV-2, then it may damage the central nervous system which may lead to meningitis, seizures and even death. Some infants suffer from mental retardation. But if these infants are treated with antiviral medications on time, then they are likely to escape permanent damage.

As genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease, pregnant women not having this infection should abstain from sex ( oral as well as intercourse) with partners who are a suspected case of herpes. Women suffering from herpes in pregnancy should immediately contact an obstetrician (a doctor dealing with childbirth) to know the precautions that need to be taken to reduce the risk of the baby getting infected with the virus. The doctor may also guide the patient on how to manage herpes effectively.