Herpes is a viral infection that is caused by the herpes simplex virus. A person infected with this virus has to live with this condition as it has no complete cure. The virus causes cold sores on the mouth and faces and in the case of genital herpes the blisters or lesions erupt in the genital areas. Pregnancy and herpes together can be extremely problematic as a pregnant woman with herpes may pass on the infection to the baby.

It is extremely crucial to notify the doctor in case the woman or her partner has ever had an outbreak of herpes. Pregnancy herpes is extremely serious and may even be fatal for the child and so extra care should be taken. The herpes virus includes the type 1 virus which causes cold sores or fever blisters and type 2 herpes virus which causes genital herpes.

Most cases where women are pregnant and have herpes deliver healthy babies. However the babies do have a risk in cases of pregnancy and herpes together. For this reason it is important to seek proper medical attention. With herpes the virus remains in the body throughout life and so it can become active from time to time.

To avoid catching this virus it is advisable to use condoms during sexual intercourse. Likewise sex should be avoided if either of the persons have open sores. Pregnant women should also pay close attention to hygiene particularly while using public toilets.

In pregnancy and herpes the possibility of transmitting the infection to the child depends on some factors. These include the exposure of the baby to any herpes lesions during the process of delivery. The other factors include the development of antibodies for the virus in the pregnant woman and transmission also depends on whether the baby has the time to obtain these antibodies prior to delivery.

During pregnancy where a woman gets the first outbreak in the third trimester and if the antibodies have not developed then the possibility of transmitting the virus to the baby by the time of labor is around 33 percent. If however the woman has recurrent outbreak problems and has the antibodies then the possibility of transmitting the virus to the child is only 3 percent.

Many women who have the herpes virus and who haven’t had an outbreak of genital herpes may experience their first outbreak as the immunity during pregnancy becomes less effective. In many cases infection is transferred by way of viral shedding that occurs from the cervix. Such a transfer can occur even in the absence of evidence of a rash. Pregnancy herpes needs to be treated with antiviral medication that includes acyclovir, valaclovir and famciclovir.

The maximum cases of transfer in pregnancy herpes occurs during labor and the actual delivery. Actual transfer of the virus to the baby can result in a number of problems. The infection can include a simple rash that involves the skin to problematic infections that affect the brain.