Herpes Simplex Virus in Mothers and Newborns

Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection is rare, but treatment with antiviral drugs can have serious consequences (Malm, 2009). (@ Lawrence & Wald, 2009), When newborns pass through infected birth canal, herpesviruses are transmitted most frequently from mothers to children through childbirth. According to many subgroup studies, 50% of virgin-born babies born on first infection have a herpes virus compared to the proportion of vaginally born babies with recurrent infection (Baker, 2005).

The infection of herpes simplex virus (commonly known as herpes) can be attributed to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 is transmitted mainly by oral contact with the oral cavity, causing infections in the oral cavity or the mouth (oral herpes). HSV-2 is nearly completely sexually transmitted, causing infections in the genitals or anal regions (genital herpes). However, HSV-1 is transmitted to the genital region via oral-genital contact, sometimes causing genital herpes. HSV - 1 is a highly contagious infectious disease, common and prevalent all over the world. Most HSV-1 infections develop in childhood, infections last a lifetime. The majority of HSV-1 infections are oral herpes (intraoral or peripheral infections, also known as oral cavity, lip or oral facial herpes), but some of the HSV-1 infections are genital herpes (genital infections or anal regions) is.

Herpes is an infection caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV). Oral herpes causes herpes around the mouth and face. Genital herpes affects genital, hip or anus areas. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It affects the genitals, waist or anus areas. Other herpes infections may affect the eyes, the skin, or other parts of the body. A newly born baby or a person whose immune system is weakening may be infected with this virus.