Genital herpes in pregnancy and newborns
Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It can cause blisters and sores on your genitals and surrounding areas. HSV is the same virus that causes cold sores.
There are two types of HSV: type 1 (HSV 1) and type 2 (HSV 2). Genital herpes can be caused by both HSV 1 and HSV 2. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant and have genital herpes.
What is the treatment for genital herpes in pregnancy?
It is important to talk with your health care provider about how often, how long and how severe your symptoms have been. Sometimes you may not need treatment. You may be prescribed antiviral tablets to help reduce the length and severity of your symptoms. These tablets have been used in pregnancy for many years and have not been shown to harm the baby. Antiviral tablets may also be used during pregnancy to prevent herpes outbreaks.
Can genital herpes affect my pregnancy and newborn?
If you or your partner has genital herpes, talk to your health care provider at your first antenatal visit and let them know if you have any episodes during your pregnancy. It is important to remind your health care provider when you go into labour that you have a history of genital herpes.
If you first had genital herpes before you became pregnant, the risk of your baby getting herpes during a vaginal birth is very low. During the last few months of pregnancy as your blood flows through the placenta, you will pass protective antibodies that help fight infection to your baby. These antibodies will provide protection against herpes during birth and for several months afterwards.
What if I get genital herpes for the first time while I am pregnant?
If you go into labour within 6 weeks of getting genital herpes for the first time, your immune system won’t have had time to produce antibodies to protect your baby. There is a higher chance that herpes could be passed to your baby if you have a vaginal birth. Please talk with your health care provider about the risks and benefits of vaginal and caesarean birth.
My partner has genital herpes, but I do not. What can I do to reduce the risk to my baby?
If your partner has an outbreak of genital herpes while you are pregnant you should avoid skin-to-skin contact with the affected area. There is a small risk that your partner may pass herpes to you even if they have no symptoms. It is best to use barrier methods, such as condoms during sex, or do other things like massage, kissing and touching – especially in the last 3 months of pregnancy. Your partner may be able to take antiviral medicine to help reduce the chance of passing the virus to you during your pregnancy. Your partner can talk about this with their health care provider.
How can I protect my baby?
If you have an episode of genital herpes or a cold sore after your baby is born, make sure you wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser before touching your baby. Avoid contact between your baby and anyone with a cold sore. There are no restrictions on breastfeeding unless you have herpes on your breast or nipple. If you have herpes on your breast or nipple, express and discard your breast milk until the herpes on your breast have gone. You can then start breastfeeding again. If you aren’t sure whether to breastfeed, talk with your GP.
What if my baby gets herpes?
Neonatal herpes occurs when herpes is passed to your baby at birth. Neonatal herpes is very rare but can cause serious infection. Early treatment helps prevent or reduce harm to your baby. If your baby has a high risk of neonatal herpes, they may need tests and treatment for herpes soon after they are born. A baby with neonatal herpes may show mild symptoms such as tiredness, irritability or poor feeding. They may or may not have obvious blisters or ulcers. These are the same symptoms as many other viral illnesses and does not mean your baby has herpes. If your baby has any of these symptoms in their first four weeks, see your GP urgently and let them know that you have genital herpes. They will check that your baby is okay. If your GP is concerned that your baby has herpes, your baby will need treatment in hospital with antiviral medicine.
Resources
- https://www.herpes.org.nz/living-with-herpes/pregnancy-and-parenting
- Genital-Herpes-final.pdf (Young deadly free)
- Herpes - STI Testing and Prevention - Stay STI Free (also in other languages)