Children can contract herpes

Pregnant Women and Men with herpes
Men with herpes must be vigilant about their safe sex practices with an uninfected mother-to-be! It could pose a serious threat to the baby if the mother contracts herpes, especially in the last few weeks.

Children can contract herpes at the time of birth. Some newborns contract herpes if they are born vaginally, especially if there is lesion present. Always tell your doctor if you suspect there is even a possibility you may have genital herpes even as you plan on getting pregnant. You can still have a healthy baby, and actually 25% of mothers have herpes.

Actually, if the mother experiences her primary or first outbreak while she is pregnant, it can cause serious effects to the fetus, even birth defects.

It is possible for the virus to cross the placenta and infect the fetus causing CNS (central nervous system) disease, neonatal herpes, encephalitis, or even death. The treatment is usually with intravenous, high dose (60mg/kg/d) acyclovir for 14-21 days.

You may even be able to have a normal delivery, but if there is an outbreak at the time of delivery, the doctor may suggest a cesarean section, C-section, if there is any threat to the baby. If your baby has symptoms like blisters, irritability, fever, loss of appetite, and malaise, take your baby to your doctor immediately.