Genital herpes in pregnancy can be dangerous, as there is a risk of the pregnant woman transmitting the virus to the baby at the time of delivery, which can cause death or serious neurological problems in the baby. Although rare, transmission can also occur during pregnancy, which can usually lead to fetal death.
However, transmission does not always happen and many women with inactive genital herpes when passing through the birth canal have healthy babies. If the lesion of genital herpes is active during labor, the resolution of pregnancy must be discharged (cesarean section).
Risks for the baby
The risk of contamination of the baby is greater when the pregnant woman is first infected with the genital herpes virus during pregnancy, especially in the 3rd trimester, because the pregnant woman does not have time to produce antibodies, with a lower risk in cases of genital herpes. recurrent.
The risks of transmission of the virus to the baby include miscarriage, malformations such as skin, eye and mouth problems, infections of the nervous system, such as encephalitis or hydrocephalus and hepatitis.
What to do when symptoms appear
When symptoms of genital herpes appear, such as red blisters, itching, burning in the genital area or fever, it is important to:
- Go to the obstetrician to observe the lesions 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.
In addition, in case the doctor recommends the use of medicines, it is important to carry out the treatment following all indications. Find out if the treatment for genital herpes is working.
In the case of not undergoing treatment, the virus can spread and cause lesions in other regions of the body, such as the belly or eyes, which can be life-threatening.
How the treatment is done
Genital herpes has no cure and treatment should be indicated by a gynecologist or obstetrician, who can recommend the use of antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir. However, before administering this medication, the benefits of the medication must be weighed against the risks, as it is a contraindicated medication 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.
In addition, it is recommended to perform caesarean delivery if the pregnant woman has a herpetic cousin infection or has genital lesions at the time of delivery. The newborn should be observed for at least 14 days after delivery and, if diagnosed with herpes, should also be treated with acyclovir.
