Genital herpes in pregnant women is one of the most serious problems that can occur during pregnancy, and it can cause serious damage to the baby’s development as well as during childbirth. However, transmission to the baby does not occur in 100% of cases, and women who have the disease can still conceive and give birth to healthy babies.
What is Genital Herpes?
Genital herpes1 is a sexually transmitted disease and can also be acquired through oral sex. There are two types of herpes, HSV-1 and HSV-2. The most common is type 1, which usually affects the mouth area and can be transmitted to a partner through kissing and sexual contact. Type 2 is the one that manifests in the male and female genital organs.
When a woman has already had genital herpes, or rather, is already a carrier of the HSV virus and becomes pregnant, it is recommended that she inform her gynecologist during the first prenatal consultation. This way, the necessary precautions will be recommended to prevent the baby from becoming infected, since once the virus is acquired, it is very difficult to eliminate it from the body and it can manifest at any time.
At the first sign of genital herpes symptoms in pregnant women, the woman should immediately inform her doctor. It’s important to watch out for symptoms2 such as red blisters in the vagina that can spread throughout the surrounding region, such as the groin, legs, and abdomen, causing itching. Signs similar to those of a common cold may also occur, such as fever, headache, and muscle pain.
Explanatory Video
What is the Treatment for Genital Herpes in Pregnant Women?
Nowadays, antiviral treatment is used to control and combat genital herpes in pregnant women3, with medications such as Acyclovir, Fanciclovir, and Penciclovir being prescribed, which are considered low-risk drugs for pregnancy. The treatment will last an average of 10 days and should not be interrupted to ensure better effectiveness and further reduce the chances of fetal infection, and it should always be supervised and carried out under your obstetrician’s guidance.
In addition to medication, it is advised that the pregnant woman engage in sexual activity only with condom use, in addition to maintaining a healthy diet and getting good sleep. Specialists have found that stress, physical fatigue, and excessive sun exposure increase the activity of the virus, making it even more active and manifesting in a more aggressive manner.
Risks of Genital Herpes During Pregnancy
When a woman has never had the disease before and the first outbreak of genital herpes occurs during pregnancy, it is the most concerning, because the first appearance of the infection is always the most aggressive due to the woman not yet having enough antibodies to fight the virus.
Herpes in the First Trimester
When it happens in the first trimester of pregnancy, spontaneous miscarriage may occur, as well as lesions in the fetus. And when it occurs at the end of pregnancy, the risks are even higher, as the virus can be transmitted to the baby through the placenta or even during delivery. Therefore, in these cases, a cesarean section is recommended to reduce the chances of the baby becoming infected.
When the Baby is Infected
When the baby is infected by the virus, it may result in premature birth, affect the eyes and cause blindness, and lead to microcephaly (reduced head growth). It can also affect the central nervous system, causing meningitis, seizures and severe headaches, which may manifest within the baby’s first two weeks of life.
In 45% of cases of babies infected with the herpes virus, blisters appear all over the body, and if not diagnosed early and properly treated, the child may die a few days after birth.
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See also: Candidiasis in Pregnancy – Symptoms and Treatments
Photo: mahalie stackpole
