Women with genital herpes can have healthy babies. However, it is possible, if you become infected during pregnancy or you have an outbreak at the time of delivery, to transmit the infection to your baby. Therefore, it is particularly important to take appropriate precautions to prevent becoming infected during pregnancy, particularly if your partner has genital herpes and you don't.

Yes. However, there is a risk of transmitting genital herpes from a pregnant mother to her baby, but it does not happen very often. (See Pregnancy for more information). In general, the risk of transmitting herpes to the baby is highest for those mothers who become infected with genital herpes for the first time while pregnant, especially during the third trimester. Women who have genital herpes before becoming pregnant are not at high risk of transmitting herpes to their baby.

The risk to your baby is very low. There are ways to minimize the risk and decrease the need for a Caesarian section . You should discuss your concerns with your doctor. (See Pregnancy for more information.)

Women with longstanding recurrent genital herpes are at low risk for transmitting the virus to their babies. To be safe however, a cesarean section often is done if a woman with recurrent herpes has an outbreak when she goes into labor. (A cesarean section delivers the baby by surgery, so the infant does not pass through the vagina.

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are two primary types of genital herpes called HSV-1 and HSV-2. Although the herpes simplex virus can stay in the a personas body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease over a long period of time.

Women with genital herpes can have healthy babies. If you are infected with genital herpes, it is possible to transmit the infection to your baby. You are at the greatest risk of transmitting herpes if you become infected during pregnancy. Therefore, it is particularly important to take appropriate precautions to prevent becoming infected during pregnancy.

Genital herpes is very common. Since the late 1970s, the number of people suffering from genital herpes in the United States has increased by nearly 30 percent, particularly among teens and young adults. It is estimated that nearly one in five adults has genital herpes, but only one third of those with the virus know that they are carriers.

During the first outbreak symptoms are usually severe. Sores and blisters will appear around the genital area and last for up to four weeks. The initial outbreak may be coupled with symptoms such as severe headaches, fever, muscle aches, urination pain and swollen glands. Subsequent outbreaks may result in symptoms such as sores/blisters in the genital area and, in women, discomfort or unusual vaginal discharge may occur

Abstinence, monogamy with a non-infected individual and safe sex are the best ways to avoid infection.

What is Genital Herpes | Herpes Simplex Virus | Herpes Medications | Genital Herpes Symptoms | Herpes Transmission

You should be open to the possibility that your partner may also have Genital Herpes. Nearly 85% of people who are infected with HSV-2 are unaware, because symptoms can be so subtle. Try to encourage your partner to speak to his or her healthcare provider. It's far better to know what you're dealing with so you can reduce the risk of spreading the herpes virus to others.

With the help of your doctor or healthcare provider, genital herpes can be managed. Don't take a chance. If you think you or your partner might have genital herpes, see your doctor or healthcare provider right away. Ask your doctor for a type-specific blood test. There are only two FDA-approved type-specific tests on the market. Herpes Select 1 and 2 ELISA produced by Focus Technologies and POCkit HSV-2 rapid point of care produced by Diagnology. Remember, herpes thrives on ignorance.