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What should a mother do if genital herpes infection occurs for the first time during pregnancy?
It is important to keep a close eye on the infection. There is no specific treatment for herpes and treatment to reduce the severity of the symptoms is all that is normally given. If there is evidence of the infection involving other organs, then the antiviral medication acyclovir may have to be administered, to moderate the course of the disease.
What if there is a recurrence of genital herpes in pregnancy?
Herpes infection will remain for life. If herpetic genital lesions reappear during pregnancy, it is just a repeat manifestation of the old infection and no specific measures are usually called for. Only symptomatic treatment will be required.
If the woman is prone to recurrent painful lesions, she could be put on antiviral medication such as acyclovir to suppress these until around 36 weeks of gestation.
If the woman is prone to recurrent painful lesions, she could be put on antiviral medication such as acyclovir to suppress these until around 36 weeks of gestation.
Can genital herpes causes miscarriage or preterm labour?
Yes. If it is a primary infection, and if it affects the rest of the body, it could provoke uterine activity. This may lead to miscarriage or preterm delivery. Attempts will be made to prevent preterm delivery if uterine activity is noted, as long as there are no contraindications to this.
Does the fact that a pregnant woman has genital herpes influence the method of delivery?
Only if there active lesions at the time.
If there are no active lesions when she goes into labour, then the aim will be for a vaginal delivery - unless this is not possible for some other reason.
If there are active lesions, then delivery is made by caesarean section, the aim being to protect the baby.
If there are no active lesions when she goes into labour, then the aim will be for a vaginal delivery - unless this is not possible for some other reason.
If there are active lesions, then delivery is made by caesarean section, the aim being to protect the baby.
Hepatitis in Pregnancy
How can a mother know if she has been exposed to Hepatitis B?
It is very difficult, unless there is a specific risk factor. Known risk factors include injecting drugs (with sharing of needles) and unprotected sexual encounters with multiple partners. Blood transfusion is no longer regarded as a risk factor, because all blood and blood products are screened for viral infections, including Hepatitis.
In the UK, every expectant mother is offered the test at booking. Those identified to be carrying the infection can then have protective injections given to their babies at birth. This service has been available nationwide since the spring of 2000.
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B?
This is where the difficulty arises. For the majority of patients, it appears like mild flu and an affected person may have no symptoms at all.
There may be a little nausea and vomiting, occasionally with abdominal pain - just under the right ribcage, where the liver is situated.
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B?
This is where the difficulty arises. For the majority of patients, it appears like mild flu and an affected person may have no symptoms at all.
There may be a little nausea and vomiting, occasionally with abdominal pain - just under the right ribcage, where the liver is situated.
Surely a person with Hepatitis B infection will have jaundice?
Not really.
Probably up to half of patients with the acute infection will have no jaundice at all. Even those who have jaundice may have mild symptoms that can easily be missed. This is compounded by the fact that the symptoms are non-specific.
Probably up to half of patients with the acute infection will have no jaundice at all. Even those who have jaundice may have mild symptoms that can easily be missed. This is compounded by the fact that the symptoms are non-specific.
So once one is infected with Hepatitis B, it is there for life?
No. Nine out of ten people infected with Hepatitis B will be clear of the infection within a few months. What they are left with is immunity against it for life.
The remaining 10 per cent, however, carry the infection for life and could pass it on to others, including a baby in the womb.
The remaining 10 per cent, however, carry the infection for life and could pass it on to others, including a baby in the womb.
So, if a pregnant woman acquires Hepatitis B infection or is a carrier before conception, the baby is at risk?
Yes. In fact babies, do not do nearly as well from the infection (compared to adults) and the majority of those who have the infection passed on by their mothers go on to develop chronic hepatitis. This may lead to chronic liver failure or even cancer of the liver.