Pregnancy is the time to be extra cautious about health. At this point of time you would be more vulnerable to health discrepancies. One such problem that is of major concern is herpes.
What is herpes?
Herpes comes from the herpes simplex virus, which is transmitted when a person comes in contact with damaged or irritated skin around the genitals infected with the virus.
Genital herpes
Herpes from the simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV1 and HSV2) is called genital herpes. It is a sexually transmitted disease when a person comes in contact with injured skin near the genitals or rectum that has been affected by the virus. The blisters, sores and ulcers take about 15 to 30 days to heal
Almost 80% of women who have had a history of this kind of herpes find it recurring (it recurs three times on an average) during pregnancy.
Transmission of the disease, caused by HSV1, from a pregnant woman to the offspring occurs either during labour or at the time of delivery. The child may be affected to any extent, a skin rash or infection affecting the newborn’s eyes and mouth. Acyclovir is intravenously administered to the newborns, in optimum dosages, to contain the problem.
If a pregnant woman has the HSV2 type herpes during labor then the child may have an affected nervous system, leading to delay in development, seizures or even death.
If herpes is identified when the woman goes into labor, she should opt for a caesarean section delivery as this reduces the chances of the newborn to be affected by the disease.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends the administration of anti viral medications to counter problems of primary outbreak of herpes in women, including pregnant women. Acyclovir has been found safe and has not led to birth defects in the baby on administration to the pregnant mother.
Herpes Zoster
This is a viral illness, better known as shingles. It is a nerve illness caused by the chicken pox virus, also called varicella zoster virus (VZV). It shows itself as an irritating skin rash, restricted to a certain part of the body. VZV infection during pregnancy is a rare occurrence. Only in very rare cases does the child have birth defects due to VZV.
Medication
The three antiviral medications recommended for herpes are Acyclovir, Valacyclovir and Famciclovir. All three are pregnancy Category B medications, according to the US Food and Drug Administration. Category B medications are advised by the doctor if the expected benefits outweigh the possible risks if the medication is not given.
Precautions
- Practice safe sex and avoid oral sex, especially with partners who have herpes
- Consult physician about HSV antibody testing
- In order to be prepared for such a situation you should know how a herpes outbreak will look like
- Take extra good care of your skin
- If you already have herpes and are planning to get pregnant, then ask the doctor to prescribe an anti-viral that will prevent its outbreak at the time of delivery
Blurb: herpes is a problem that causes concern for all. It is especially disconcerting if the problem occurs during pregnancy. There are two types of herpes (1) A sexually transmitted disorder and (2) caused by the dormant chicken pox virus. Both kinds are treated (but not cured) by recommended antiviral medications. It is important to take certain precautions to ensure the good health of both the mother and the child at this time