Herpes, genital
In rare cases, the blisterscaused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) can become infected by other bacteria. If this happens, it could cause a skin infection to spread to other parts of your body, such as the lips, hands or fingers.
In very rare cases, the virus can spread to areas of the body such as the brain, eyes, liver or lungs. People witha weakened immune system are at higher risk of these complications.For example, people with HIV and AIDS or those using certain medications.
In some instances, the herpes virus can pose problems during pregnancy and may be passed to the baby around the time of the birth.
If you had genital herpes before becoming pregnant, the risk to your baby is very low. This is because during the last few months of your pregnancy, you will pass all the protective antibodies (proteins that fight infection) to your baby. These will protect your baby during the birth and for several months afterwards.
Even if you have recurrent episodes of genital herpes throughout your pregnancy, your baby should not be at increased risk. However, you may need to takean antiviral medication, such as aciclovir , continuously from week 36 of the pregnancy until the birth to reduce the severity of your symptoms.
If you have genital herpes blisters or ulcers (open sores) at the time of the birth, the chance of passing the infection on to your baby rises to three in 100.
If you develop genital herpes for the first time (primary infection) during the first or second trimester (up to week 26 of the pregnancy), there is no increased risk of miscarriage or your baby developing developmental problems.
If you develop genital herpes for the first time during the third trimester (week 27 of the pregnancy until birth), particularly during the last six weeks of the pregnancy, the risk of passing the virus on to your baby is considerably higher.
This is because you will not have time to developprotective antibodies to pass to your baby, and the virus can be passed to your baby before or during the birth.
Toprevent this happening, you may need to have a caesarean section delivery . A caesarean section is an operation to deliver your baby by making a cut in the front wall of your abdomen (tummy) and womb. If you give birth vaginally, the risk of passing the virus on to your baby is around four in 10.
If you develop genital herpes during the latter stages of pregnancy, you will need to take antiviral medicine continuously for the last four weeks of your pregnancy. However, this may not prevent the need for a caesarean.
Neonatal herpes is where a baby catches the herpes simplex virus around the time of the birth. It can be serious and, in some cases, fatal. However, in the UK neonatal herpes is rare, affecting one or two babies in every 100,000 live births.
There are three types of neonatal herpes that affect different parts of the body. Neonatal herpes can affect:
In babies with symptoms affecting only their eyes, mouth or skin, most will make a complete recovery with antiviral treatment. However, the condition is much more serious in cases where multiple organs are affected and nearly a third of infants with this type of neonatal herpes will die.
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Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 or type 2. It causes painful blisters to appear on the genitals and the surrounding areas.
Most people with the herpes simplex virus (HSV) do not experience any symptoms of genital herpes when they are first infected.
Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The virus is very contagious and spreads from one person to another through skin-to-skin contact.
If you think that you may have genital herpes for the first time (primary infection), you should visit your local genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic as soon.
Treatment for genital herpes will depend on whether you have the infection for the first time (a primary infection) or whether you have a recurrent infection.
The herpes virus can pose problems during pregnancy and may be passed to the baby. The blisters caused by HSV can also become infected by other bacteria.
The following advice can help to prevent the herpes simplex virus (HSV) spreading to others. If you have genital herpes, you should avoid having sex.
Real story of a young woman's experience of having genital herpes.