Suggest Treatment For Persistent Herpes During Pregnancy

Posted on Fri, 22 Jan 2016

Question: If I had herpes for 8 yrs and is pregnant and scheduled for a repeat c section what do I need to worry about?

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (48 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
If you do not have active herpes lesions, risk to baby is very low.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

I can understand your concern. Good news though - if you don't have active herpes at the time of your C-section, your baby's risk is very low and there is no need to screen the baby for herpes.

If you have active herpes lesions when you have your C-section, your baby should be both observed and cultured for HSV. Acyclovir is not routinely used if the baby is asymptomatic and if the culture is negative.

If you would like to read a good article about management, this is a good one: http://www.yyyyyyyynyyyym.nih.yyyyyyyyyv/pmc/ayyyyyyyes/PMC0000/

I hope this information helps. Best wishes on your upcoming delivery!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (15 minutes later)

So do you think my doctor will suggest any meds for like weeks before my section

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Probably not.

Detailed Answer:
Since you have a history of genital herpes prior to pregnancy, there isn't strong research to suggest that you take prophylactic meds. So no, your doctor will probably not recommend weeks of treatment before your C-section.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar