Is Genital Herpes A Life-threatening Virus, What Does It Do, And Can It Be Passed To A Baby During Birth?
I was just recently diagnosed with genital herpes and I am very scared and worried. I just want to know if it is life threatening and what the virus does besides cause outbreaks. Also, if I have the virus, when I get pregnant will my baby get the virus if I choose to have a ceserean section done?
Tags: Baby, Birth, Does, During, Genital, Herpes...., Lifethreatening, Passed, Virus, What
December 31st, 2009 at 11:24 am
It is not life threatening to the person that has it. It is a localised viral skin infection – no more of a problem than a cold sore on the mouth.
It causes small outbreaks of clusters of tiny clear blisters, from one blister to several. Recurrent outbreaks clear up in 3-5 days.
It IS highly stigmatised socially, and that is the main problem.
Besides causing outbreaks, the virus doesn’t do anything. It doesn’t do you any harm, is not progressive, and has no links to any kind of cancer etc.
If you have genital herpes and are pregnant, there is a small risk of passing the virus to the baby during a vaginal delivery. This is most common when a mother catches herpes during the pregnancy – otherwise, it is pretty rare, given that one in four pregnant women has genital herpes. Neonatal herpes is a serious infection.
If you have no symptoms of herpes at the time of delivery, it is ok to have a vaginal delivery. My sister has herpes like me, and has had three vaginal deliveries with no problems at all.
If you have symptoms, the doctors will perform a caesarian section. There is NO risk to the baby from herpes if you have a c-section.
December 31st, 2009 at 3:19 pm
NO herpes is not life threatening, you can’t die from it. Besides out breaks it doesn’t do any thing to your health. It also does nothing to your reproductive system.
Herpes can be passed on if you have an out break at the time the baby comes through the birth canal. Most of the time doctors prescribe antiviral medication ( there are some that are safe to take during pregnancy) a couple of weeks before your due date to help prevent out breaks so you can deliver naturally if you chose to. If you don’t want to take any risks then your doctor will recommend you to have a cesarean section this will prevent your child from contracting HSV2 at birth.
If you have had herpes long before you plan to get pregnant, then there should be little to no risk to your baby. The risk comes if you caught herpes early during your pregnancy.
December 31st, 2009 at 6:04 pm
It is not life threatening to you at all.
As for giving birth, a c-section would virtually eliminate risk of transmission to the baby. I have read, but not researched much, that a C section MAY not be necessary. Risk to the baby of infection resulting in sores will vary depending on – like any transmission of the virus – different factors. There is a very small risk of infection to a baby that results in Encephalitis . You’d have to discuss risks with your doctor.
December 31st, 2009 at 9:00 pm
No it is not life threatening. I have it, never had any problems, had one mild outbreak years ago, and have three beautiful healthy children all born vaginally
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