HSV 2 and pregnancy

[paula77720]

Hi all,

A good friend of mine is currently pregnant (3 weeks) and is tested positive for Herpes Simplex 2 five years ago. SInce last year, her outbreak is frequent, mostly in the buttocks or genital areas. Now that she is pregnant, she is scared how this affects the baby.

My question is: Did yo have any experience handling neonates with HSV 2 mom? Is the baby normal or has some neurological deficiency? What is the chance of her baby getting HSV? I am taking OB and Peds this fall so i have only very limited information about the subject. The book says it has a lot of complications and the baby's health might be put at risk. What about real life experiences that you can share?

thanks a lot.

also, is there any website re: this?

[Cali]

Hi Paula,

I'm an LVN/LPN on a Labor & Delivery unit. We get alot of women who have HSV 2. As long as they don't have an outbreak at the time of delivery we allow them to deliver lady partslly and the babies do just fine. If there is an outbreak they have to have a c-section to prevent transmission to the baby.

[nicudaynurse]

Ditto with what Cali said. Your friend will need to be monitored closely. The majority of babies will not be affected by maternal HSV, but there have been cases where the baby contracts HSV. HSV that is transmitted to the baby can present as encephalitis which can result in severe neurological problems.