Risk of Herpes Disease in Pregnant Women

 

Hi Mommy, Welcome to PregnancyMommy. This time we will discuss about Risk of Herpes Disease in Pregnant Women, hopefully the article we wrote can be useful for Mommy.

Herpes is an infection caused by herpes simplex virus. Once you are infected with herpes, the virus will always be in the body. Fortunately, the virus is not always active, and if it relapses it will not be as severe as when it was first infected. Herpes virus is present in active lesions or fluid in the curls in the vagina when complaints arise. The disease is usually transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact, intercourse, or sharing sex toys.

However, disease in pregnant women can also be transmitted to the child they are carrying. The danger or not depends on when the mother was first infected with herpes virus. Symptoms of herpes that can arise include fever, muscle aches, nausea, fatigue, and sores or curls that feel pain in the mucosa of the mouth or vagina. These wounds can cause pain complaints when urinating.

Mother was infected with herpes before pregnancy

If pregnant women have been infected with herpes before pregnancy, it is less likely to harm the little one. This is because the body's protective antibodies and herpes virus contrarians will be passed from mother to child. However, if herpes disease in pregnant women suffered by the mother often relapses, there is a weakness of the immune system, or if the mother wants her baby to get additional protection, it is recommended to see a doctor to get the right treatment.

Mother infected with herpes during first and second trimester of pregnancy

If the first mother is infected with herpes in women during the first or second trimester of pregnancy (until the 26th week), the mother is at high risk of miscarriage.

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Whereas if the pregnancy continues, there is no further risk in the growth and development of the little one. The chances of a baby in the womb contracting herpes disease is less than 3%. However, the doctor may advise the mother to take antiviral medications and not to give birth normally or to give birth by caesarean section. Although rare, other factors such as immunity disorders, fatigue, stress, or not regularly checking pregnancy for this condition can increase the risk of miscarriage.

Mother infected with herpes during late trimester of pregnancy

If the first-time mother is infected with herpes while pregnant in the third trimester, especially the last 6 weeks of pregnancy, your child's risk of contracting the virus becomes much higher. This is because the mother's body does not have enough time to make antibodies. The little one in the womb will not get antibodies to this virus.

To prevent the transmission of herpes disease in women to infants, the mother may be advised to take antiviral drugs and undergo childbirth by caesarean section. Because if giving birth normally, the little one can get the virus through contact with open wounds or fluid-filled curls in the mother's vagina. Prevention of herpes infection mainly by avoiding physical contact or sexual intercourse with sufferers or using condoms during intercourse.

If your child turns out to have herpes (neonatal herpes), the severity of the infection will differ from child to child. There are children who recover well and the infection is quite easy to treat. There are also children who have more serious infections, affecting the central nervous system or other organs. Herpes in infants is at risk of causing disability and although rare, neonatal herpes can also put your child's life at risk.

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Symptoms to be aware of if your child has herpes is feeling limp, lacking or unwilling to drink, lips or body looks bluish, rapid breathing, rashes on the body, and seizures. These signs are serious conditions in which the baby needs immediate treatment. Tell your doctor or midwife if your mother or father has ever been infected with herpes. Protect the baby in the womb by getting proper and fast treatment from herpes disease in pregnant women. Regular pregnancy control is very important so that the health of mother and child is maintained.