Catching Herpes During Pregnancy
August 31st, 2008 | by admin |Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted viral infection that, in adults, can lead to recurrent blisters and sores in the genital area. Typically the first episode is the worst, sometimes including fever, muscle soreness, and severe genital pain. In pregnancy, a first episode of herpes can make the mother very sick. Babies who catch herpes during birth through an infected area can develop infections in their internal organs, leading to severe disability and even death. In contrast to the low incidence of infections seen in babies born to mothers with recurrent herpes, a baby born vaginally while a mother has a first-time infection has a high likelihood of severe infection.
The best protection for the baby is for the mother not to catch herpes during pregnancy.
If a woman’s partner has herpes, it is likely that she will have caught it by the time she is pregnant. In some ways, this is good news, since she already has antibodies. Once you have antibodies, you don’t re-catch an infection from another person. Antibodies also cross the placenta and provide some protection to the baby, lowering the chance of the baby becoming infected during birth. That is why a mom’s recurrent herpes is much less dangerous to the baby than is a first time infection. Antibody testing of a woman whose partner is known to have herpes can help determine if she is at risk of catching a first-time infection during pregnancy. If she already has antibodies she can be considered to already have herpes.
If the mom’s partner has herpes and the mom has no history of herpes or antibodies against herpes, all steps should be taken to prevent transmission during pregnancy. Most infections are passed during a time when the infected person is not aware of a sore. The usual recommendations to prevent transmission in non-pregnant couples are to use condoms for every sex act, and to avoid intimate contact during an outbreak. The infected partner may choose to take anti-viral medication every day, to diminish the number of days he is infectious. In pregnancy is it imperative not to catch herpes. Some couples choose to abstain from sexual contact since abstinence is the most effective way to prevent transmission.
All moms-to-be should do their best not to catch herpes during pregnancy. About fifty percent of adults with herpes have such minimal symptoms that they are not aware that they carry this virus; so identifying which partners put you at risk can be tricky. If you have a new partner during pregnancy, or your partner has other partners, ask about a history of sexually transmitted infections or genital sores, and practice safe sex, either by abstinence or consistent condom use, especially in the third trimester. If your partner has herpes, abstinence may be the best approach. Talk to your practitioner about how best to protect yourself and your baby-to-be.
