Herpes virus antenatal infection
Overview
Transmission of the herpes virus from the mother to the baby during the fetal stage.
Symptoms
* Premature birth * Congenital malformations * Skin anomalies * Retarded fetal growth * Neonatal herpes infection
Causes
Herpes simplex is caused by Herpes-virus hominis (HVH), a widespread infectious agent. Type 1 herpes, which is transmitted by oral and respiratory secretions, affects the skin and mucous membranes and commonly produces cold sores and fever blisters. Type 2 herpes primarily affects the genital area and is transmitted by sexual contact. Cross-infection may result from orogenital sex.
Treatment
No cure for herpes exists; however, recurrences tend to be milder and of shorter duration than the primary infection. Symptomatic and supportive therapy is essential. Generalized primary infection usually requires an analgesic-antipyretic to reduce fever and relieve pain. Anesthetic mouthwashes, such as viscous lidocaine, may reduce the pain of gingivostomatitis, enabling the patient to eat and preventing dehydration. (Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes.) Drying agents, such as calamine lotion, ease the pain of labial or skin lesions. Avoid petroleum-based ointments, which promote viral spread and slow healing. Refer patients with eye infections to an ophthalmologist. Topical corticosteroids are contraindicated in active infection, but idoxuridine, trifluridine, and vidarabine are effective. Oral acyclovir may bring relief to patients with genital herpes. Frequent prophylactic use of acyclovir in immunosuppressed transplant patients prevents disseminated disease.Foscarnet can be used to treat HVH that’s resistant to acyclovir. Anti-viral agents similar to acyclovir are valacyclovir and famciclovir. These agents are more active than acyclovir.