Can herpes simplex virus cause pregnancy
Release time : 12/12/2024 18:36:52
Herpes simplex virus poses a particularly significant risk to fetuses and newborns, with a high rate of teratogenicity.
However, the emergence of Herpes Simplex Virus is also unpredictable. Can a woman who has Herpes Simplex Virus become pregnant? What should a pregnant woman do if she contracts Herpes Simplex Virus? Pregnant women must know this! Many people who are somewhat familiar with Herpes Simplex Virus would be hesitant at the potential health impact it could have on their child. Many prospective mothers might wish to understand whether they can conceive while infected with Herpes Simplex Virus. Let's delve into this matter together! Due to the complex nature of the disease and its ability to recur in various parts of the body, many doctors advise against conceiving while infected with Herpes Simplex Virus.
It is understood that the Herpes Simplex Virus has a particularly significant impact on fetuses and newborns, with a very high rate of teratogenicity.
Numerous reports indicate that, in early pregnancy, herpes simplex virus can cause fetal viralemia, spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, congenital malformations, intrauterine growth retardation or premature birth through the placenta. It can also manifest as an asymptomatic infection or a persistently infected state.
Perhaps the facts speak louder: there were reports in the United States that 17.6% of newborns died from oral herpes simplex virus infection. It's essential to cure it before having a baby, and never expose newborns to people with herpes simplex virus.
However, it's not absolute! If the IgM test for Herpes simplex virus is positive, it indicates that the pregnant woman may have had a recent "TORCH" infection (or primary infection) and there is a possibility of causing fetal malformations.
If IgG is positive, it usually indicates that there was an infection with "TORCH" in the past. There is little impact on the fetus. In China, about 90% of women of childbearing age have been found to be positive for rubella and Cytomegalovirus IgG antibodies.
What are the effects of the Herpes Simplex Virus during pregnancy on the fetus? It is truly distressing for expectant mothers to encounter a simple herpes virus during pregnancy. Let's first understand the effects of the Herpes Simplex Virus during pregnancy! There are two types of infections associated with the Herpes Simplex Virus during pregnancy: localized and systemic.
The former symptoms are milder, and local infections primarily occur on the face, hands and feet, corners of the lips, genitals, and eyes. The infected areas exhibit small watery vesicles measuring a millet-sized size, which may be clustered in one area or several clusters, accompanied by fever or local lymph node enlargement.
Systemic infection often results in critical illness, with potential for anemia and severe complications affecting the nervous, respiratory, and circulatory systems.
The effects on the fetus include: 1. Infection with herpes simplex virus during pregnancy can lead to fetal intrauterine infection, an increased risk of stillbirth and miscarriage.
2. In the early stages of pregnancy, when a simple herpes virus infection occurs, it can be transmitted through the placenta and reproductive system, causing intrauterine infection in the fetus and leading to congenital deformities such as microcephaly, microphthalmia, developmental defects of the retina, and brain calcifications.
3. In pregnant women with primary herpes simplex virus infection, the rate of preterm birth is increased, and the detection rate of herpes simplex virus in preterm infants is also significantly higher than that in full-term infants, which may be related to the decreased immunity in pregnancy caused by the virus.
4. When the central nervous system of the fetus is infected with the Herpes simplex virus, it may lead to fetal death and malformations.
5. When a pregnant woman is infected with herpes simplex virus, and she gives birth through vaginal delivery, the newborn may be infected with herpes zoster keratitis and conjunctivitis.
Individuals with systemic infections may exhibit symptoms such as jaundice, cyanosis, difficulty breathing, shock, somnolence, coma, and delirium.
How should a pregnant woman with simplex herpes be managed? A pregnant woman has developed simplex herpes virus during pregnancy, which is causing great concern. The editor suggests seeking professional medical advice immediately for treatment! After all, the severity of the condition can vary greatly.
Let's take a case study look at it! The patient developed blisters on her lips for two days, and upon examination at the health clinic, was diagnosed with herpes simplex. However, given that she is pregnant (not long past conception, at most a few months), the doctor hesitated to treat her.
What should pregnant women do if they contract this disease? And what are the potential consequences of not treating it? Doctor: If a pregnant woman is infected for the first time, it has a significant impact on the fetus. However, if it reverts to negative after treatment, the impact on the fetus is minimal.
Herpes simplex virus infection during pregnancy can result in about 10% of fetuses being infected, potentially affecting the development of organs and possibly leading to neonatal herpes syndrome.
For expectant mothers with asymptomatic herpes simplex virus infection, it is possible to perform amniocentesis before delivery to determine the presence of intrauterine herpes simplex virus infection and select a delivery method accordingly.
To prevent infection of the fetus and newborn with varicella-zoster virus during vaginal delivery, both primiparous and multiparous women with primary or recurrent infection of the reproductive system should undergo cesarean section to deliver the fetus.
For those with some pre-pregnancy knowledge, the "four viruses" test is a mandatory checkup before pregnancy. It includes the diagnosis of congenital syphilis, hepatitis B virus, Chlamydia trachomatis, rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus. If you are infected with any of these pathogens, it can easily lead to miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, fetal abnormalities, or birth defects.
At the same time, it is important to note that the four virus screenings should ideally be carried out in the first six months of pregnancy. This will help prevent unnecessary tragedies from occurring.
However, if infected with these viruses, as long as under the guidance of a doctor's treatment, most people can safely have a child.
Usually, there are medications for prevention, which can reduce the mother's HSV infection or decrease the transmission of HSV to the newborn, thereby reducing the vertical transmission of HSV.
Acyclovir, a chronic suppressive treatment, can reduce the recurrence of latent herpes simplex virus infection in the genital and oral areas.
The medical information provided in this text is for reference only.
If you experience discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately. The diagnosis and treatment should be based on an in-person consultation with a doctor.