Birth-acquired herpes is a herpes virus infection that an infant gets (acquires) at the time of birth. Newborn infants can become infected with herpes virus: -- In the uterus (intrauterine herpes -- this is very rare) -- Passing through the birth canal (birth-acquired herpes, the most common method of infection) -- Right after birth (postpartum) from kissing or having other contact with someone who has herpes mouth sores If the mother has an active genital herpes infection at the time of delivery, the baby is more likely to become infected during birth. Some mothers may not be aware they have internal (inside the vagina) herpes sores. Some people have had herpes infections in the past, but were not aware of it. These people, not knowing that they have herpes, may pass it to their baby. Herpes type 2 (genital herpes) is the most common cause of herpes infection in newborn babies, but herpes type 1 (oral herpes) can also occur. Medline Plus - National Institutes of Health:

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Health Topics
HSV
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2. Overview
Birth-acquired herpes is a herpes virus infection
that an infant gets (acquires) at the time of birth.
Newborn infants can become infected with herpes
virus:
-- In the uterus (intrauterine herpes -- this is very
rare)
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3. Overview
-- Passing through the birth canal (birth-acquired
herpes, the most common method of infection)
-- Right after birth (postpartum) from kissing or
having other contact with someone who has
herpes mouth sores
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4. Overview
If the mother has an active genital herpes infection
at the time of delivery, the baby is more likely to
become infected during birth. Some mothers may
not be aware they have internal (inside the vagina)
herpes sores.
Some people have had herpes infections in the
past, but were not aware of it. These people, not
knowing that they have herpes, may pass it to their
baby.
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5. Overview
Herpes type 2 (genital herpes) is the most common
cause of herpes infection in newborn babies, but
herpes type 1 (oral herpes) can also occur.
Medline Plus - National Institutes of Health:
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6. Symptoms
Herpes may only appear as a skin infection.
Small, fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) may appear.
These blisters rupture, crust over, and finally
heal, often leaving a mild scar.
Herpes infection may also spread throughout the
body (called disseminated herpes). In this type, the
herpes virus can affect many different parts of the
body.
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7. Symptoms
-- Herpes infection in the brain is called herpes
encephalitis
-- The liver, lungs, and kidneys may also be
involved
-- There may or may not be blisters on the skin
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8. Symptoms
Newborn infants with herpes that has spread to
the brain or other parts of the body are often very
sick. Symptoms include:
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9. Treatment
Herpes virus infections in infants are generally
treated with medicine given through a vein
(intravenous). Acyclovir is the most common
antiviral medicine used for this purpose. The baby
may need to take the medicine for several weeks.
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10. Treatment
Other therapy is often needed to treat the effects
of herpes infection, such as shock or seizures.
Often, because these babies are very ill, treatment
is done in an intensive care unit.
Herpes virus infections in infants are generally
treated with medicine given through a vein
(intravenous). Acyclovir is the most common
antiviral medicine used for this purpose. The baby
may need to take the medicine for several weeks.
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11. Treatment
Other therapy is often needed to treat the effects
of herpes infection, such as shock or seizures.
Often, because these babies are very ill, treatment
is done in an intensive care unit.
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12. Diagnosis
**When to Contact a Medical Professional**
If your baby has any symptoms of birth-acquired
herpes, including skin lesions alone, have the baby
seen by your health care provider promptly.
Medline Plus - National Institutes of Health:
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13. Risks
Possible Complications:
-- Bacterial or fungal infection of skin lesions
-- Coma
-- Death
-- Developmental delay
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14. Risks
-- Excessive bleeding, disseminated intravascular
coagulation (DIC)
-- Eye problems (chorioretinitis, keratitis)
-- Gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhea
-- Hepatitis
-- Jaundice
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15. Risks
-- Liver failure
-- Lung problems including pneumonia or
pneumonitis
-- Brain and nervous system (neurological)
problems
-- Respiratory distress
-- Seizure
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16. Risks
-- Shock
-- Skin lesions
Medline Plus - National Institutes of Health:
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17. Risks
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article
/001368.htm
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18. Prevention
It is important for women to tell their doctor if
they have a history of genital herpes.
Safer sexual practices can help prevent the mother
from getting genital herpes. Mothers who are not
infected with herpes cannot pass the herpes virus
to the baby during delivery.
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19. Prevention
People with "cold sores" (herpes labialis) should
avoid contact with newborn infants. Caregivers
who have a cold sore should wear a surgical mask
and wash their hands carefully before coming into
contact with the infant to prevent transmitting the
virus.
Mothers should speak to their health care
providers about the best way to minimize the risk
of transmitting herpes to their infant.
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20. Prevention
Medline Plus - National Institutes of Health:
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