How does pregnancy with herpes virus affect the fetus?

HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) infection during pregnancy is a common infection in women of reproductive age. People infected with the herpes virus during pregnancy often have the ability to infect the fetus during pregnancy or to the newborn baby.

HSV virus, full name Herpes Simplex Virus, is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus, belonging to the Herpesviridae family of viruses and is transmitted through mucous membranes or skin wounds.
HSV virus is one of the most common causes of infection in infants today, causing disability or even death. The time of transmission of this virus is mainly when the mother is pregnant and has a primary infection in the second half of pregnancy.
HSV virus is found in nerve tissue, in oral and facial wounds, in the cranial nerve ganglia, in the lumbar ganglia, and in the genital tract.

HSV infection during pregnancy has clinical signs of painful sores and blisters in places such as the mouth, genital area and anus. The place where the sores are located is the first place where the HSV virus enters the body. HSV infection during pregnancy is usually spread by direct contact with sores, especially through sexual contact, or in special cases, even if the sores are not visible, the HSV virus can already be spread. .
HSV virus penetrates skin sores during vaginal, oral or anal sex and penetrates the moist membrane of the penis, vagina, urethra, cervix and anus causing disease for normal cells. At this point, the natural defense system will be active against the HSV virus that causes sores, blisters, swelling and pain.
In addition, HSV virus also finds and attacks the tongue, mouth, eyes, gums, lips, hands and some other organs. If the patient touches the sores and then scratches or rubs other parts of the body, especially the eyes, it can cause HSV infection in that part.

Symptoms of HSV infection during pregnancy can be very mild with a few sores, or it can be very severe, consisting of many sores on the body. After the HSV virus enters the body, symptoms will appear 2 to 10 days later, including:
Swollen lymph nodes; Fever; shivering cold; Muscle pain; Tired; Nausea;

Small sores at first, blisters on the vagina, anus and other parts, ulcers in clusters, then these sores burst and drain and eventually scab over and heal on their own without leaving scars; Itching and burning when urinating.

When pregnant women are infected with herpes virus, the fetus will face many risks, especially for pregnant women for the first time. According to statistics, mothers infected with herpes virus during their first pregnancy, the risk of transmitting the disease to the fetus is from 30% to 60%, because in this period the fetus does not have enough antibodies against the virus. herpes.
If the mother is re-infected with HSV virus, the risk of transmission to the baby is only 3%, even when infected with HSV virus without blistering lesions, this possibility is less than 1%. Damage to the fetus when a pregnant mother is infected with the herpes virus can be to the brain or eyes.
Pregnant women infected with the herpes virus can still breastfeed without transmitting the disease to their babies because the HSV virus is not transmitted through breast milk. However, it should be noted that the disease can be transmitted when the baby comes into contact with sores, blisters on the mother's breast while nursing. The remedy for this situation is that pregnant mothers infected with herpes virus who have sores on their nipples must pump, express milk by hand and do not touch the sores until the sores heal and give the baby some milk. squeezed.
In order for a woman to be infected with the herpes virus during pregnancy to not affect the health of the fetus, it is necessary to avoid performing procedures that pose a risk of infection, as well as receive antiretroviral therapy to minimize the risk of transmission. orchid.
Whether the herpes virus infection during pregnancy is passed on to the fetus depends on many factors. Therefore, you should see an obstetrician for detailed advice, thereby taking proactive measures to prevent infection to your baby. To protect the health of both mother and baby during pregnancy as well as to treat and monitor the progression of the disease caused by the Herpes virus, you should choose a package of maternity care packages at reputable medical facilities. credit.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec International General Hospital is highly appreciated by pregnant women for the quality of service, professional qualifications of doctors, facilities and professionalism. Vinmec offers pregnant women a variety of comprehensive maternity care packages (12 weeks, 27 weeks) to help protect you comprehensively before - during - after giving birth.
Vinmec's Obstetrics and Gynecology Department is closely linked with other specialties such as dermatology, endocrinology, cardiology, gastroenterology... so when you have Herpes virus infection during pregnancy, you will be monitored, examined, and treated completely. face. In case the baby is diagnosed with Herpes virus from the mother, he will be examined and treated right after birth, limiting dangerous complications that the baby may encounter such as disability, neonatal infection.