Genital herpes during pregnancy: risks, what to do and how to treat it

Genital herpes during pregnancy can be dangerous, as there is a risk of the pregnant woman transmitting the virus to the baby at the time of birth, which can cause death or serious neurological problems in the baby. Although rare, transmission can also occur during pregnancy, which can often lead to fetal death.

Despite this, transmission does not always occur and many women with inactive genital herpes at the time of passage through the birth canal have healthy babies. However, in the case of women who have active genital herpes at the time of birth, it is recommended that a cesarean section be performed to avoid infecting the baby.

Read too: Herpes: what it is, symptoms, types, transmission and treatment

However, it is important that the obstetrician is consulted to assess the need to start treatment with antivirals during pregnancy to reduce the risk of transmission to the baby.

Risks for the baby

The risk of contamination of the baby is greater when the pregnant woman is infected for the first time with the genital herpes virus during pregnancy, especially in the 3rd trimester, because the pregnant woman does not have time to produce antibodies, the risk being lower in cases of genital herpes. recurrent.

The risks of transmitting the virus to the baby include miscarriage, occurrence of malformations, such as skin, eye and mouth problems, nervous system infections, such as encephalitis or hydrocephalus and hepatitis.

Online genital herpes symptom test

To find out if you have genital herpes, please check your symptoms below:

This test only serves as a means of guidance and is not intended to provide a diagnosis or replace consultation with a urologist, gynecologist or infectious disease specialist.

What to do when symptoms appear

When symptoms of genital herpes appear, such as red blisters, itching, burning in the genital region or fever, it is important to:

• Go to the obstetrician to observe the injuries and make the correct diagnosis;
• Avoid excessive sun exposure and stress, as they make the virus more active;
• Maintain a balanced diet rich in vitamins, in addition to sleeping at least 8 hours a night;
• Avoid intimate contact without a condom.

Furthermore, if the doctor recommends the use of medication, it is important to carry out the treatment following all instructions. If you do not undergo treatment, the virus can spread and cause damage to other areas of the body, such as the belly or eyes, potentially putting your life at risk.

How the treatment is carried out

There is no cure for genital herpes and treatment must be recommended by a gynecologist or obstetrician, who may recommend the use of antiviral medications, such as acyclovir. However, before administering this medication, the benefits of the medication must be considered in light of the risks, as it is a medication contraindicated for pregnant women, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. In most cases, the recommended dose is 200 mg, orally, 5 times a day, until the lesions heal.

Furthermore, it is recommended to deliver by cesarean section if the pregnant woman has a primary infection with the herpes virus or presents genital lesions at the time of delivery. The newborn must be observed for at least 14 days after birth and, if diagnosed with herpes, must also be treated with acyclovir. See more details about the treatment for genital herpes.