Babies Born With Herpes: Causes, Symptoms And Prevention

Active maternal herpes infection during delivery is a common cause of transmission to the baby.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Anisa Vahed, MMed Dr. Anisa Vahed Dr. Anisa VahedMMed MomJunction on FacebookFollow MomJunction on LinkedinFollow MomJunction on Instagram Specialty: PediatricianExperience: 10 years
Written by , Medical Doctor Dr Bisny T. Joseph Medical Doctor Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Health and Medical TreatmentsExperience: 5 years
Edited by , BSc, MBA Rohit Garoo BSc, MBA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Baby Health and WellnessExperience: 9 years
Fact-checked by , M.Tech Shinta Liz Sunny M.Tech Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Health & WellnessExperience: 4 years
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Baby Suffering With With Herpes

Image: Shutterstock

Congenital herpes or birth-acquired herpes infection is a viral infection acquired by babies during delivery or in the womb. Babies born with herpes may show symptoms of the infection at birth or may develop them shortly after birth. Pregnant women with genital herpes may transmit the virus to their babies during vaginal delivery.

Herpes infection can cause lifelong complications that can often be life-threatening if left untreated. Hence, this post tells you more about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, complications, treatment, prevention, and outcomes of birth-acquired herpes in babies.

In This Article

Causes Of Birth-Acquired Herpes

Herpes infection is a contagious viral disease caused by the following strains of herpes virus(1).

  • Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV 1) causes cold sores around or inside the mouth.
  • Herpes simplex type 2 (HSV 2) causes genital herpes infection.

protip_icon Quick fact
Genital herpes (type 2) is the most common cause of herpes infection in newborns. However, oral herpes (type 1) can also affect babies (3).

Infants can contract herpes from inactive (no symptoms) or active (having blisters in the birth canal) maternal herpes infection. Once infected, the herpes virus stays dormant within the body and may cause recurrent infection during favorable circumstances, such as low immunity. Therefore, it’s crucial to be aware of herpes in newborns to ensure your little one’s health and safety. If the mother has active herpes infection at childbirth, the risk of neonatal herpes increases during vaginal delivery.

Note: Herpes contracted from cold sores after birth is considered a neonatal herpes infection and not a congenital herpes infection.

Signs And Symptoms Of Birth-Acquired Herpes

Jaundice in infants is a symptom of birth-acquired herpes

Image: Shutterstock

Some babies may only have skin lesions during herpes infection. A few babies could develop systemic herpes infection, which affects various organs of the body. When the baby has herpetic lesions on the skin and systemic herpes infection, it is called disseminated herpes.

The following signs and symptoms are seen in congenital herpes infection (2).

  • Blisters (fluid-filled bumps) or vesicles on the skin
  • Lethargy
  • Breathing issues
  • Bleeding-related problems
  • Trouble feeding
  • Jaundice
  • Seizures or unusual motor movements

Fluid-filled blisters are commonly seen around the eyes or on the torso in congenital herpes infection.

The blisters can burst and crust over time. 

Diagnosis Of Birth-Acquired Herpes

The appearance of skin lesions helps diagnose herpes simplex infection in babies. The culture of a sample from the lesion helps confirm the diagnosis. Doctors may also check for enlarged lymph nodes in the groin and neck area. Recently, testing cerebrospinal fluid by PCR and antibody testing for HSV antibodies has also been popular in confirming the diagnosis of neonatal herpes infection (7).

Blood, cerebrospinal fluidiA fluid present in and around the brain and spinal cord. , and urine analyses are often ordered if the baby has a herpes infection. An eye examination is recommended since eye herpes is common in birth-acquired herpes infection. MRI scan of the head is often ordered to check for brain swelling or brain damage, especially if the CSF analysisiA diagnostic method used to assess the cerebrospinal fluid for the presence of any diseases concerning the brain and spinal cord. is positive for the herpes virus (3).

Treatment For Birth-Acquired Herpes

Topical eye drops may be prescribed for herpes eye infections

Image: Shutterstock

Herpes symptoms in newborns are carefully considered to determine the appropriate course of action. Intravenous antiviral medications, such as acyclovir (Zovirax), are recommended for infants with herpes for a few weeks (1). An early treatment of neonatal herpes with immediate antiviral medications can help minimize possible complications and improve clinical outcomes.

Topical ophthalmiciConditions relating to the eye. drugs are given along with systemic antiviral therapy for babies with herpes eye infections. An ophthalmologist’s review will assist with a proper assessment.

protip_icon Quick fact
Infants treated for neonatal HSV infections of any classification may receive oral acyclovir for six months. The dose is revised each month to account for growth (1).

Possible Complications Of Birth-Acquired Herpes 

Respiratory problems may be a complication of birth-acquired herpes

Image: Shutterstock

The following complications may occur in disseminated herpes virus infection.

  • Seizures
  • Eye inflammation
  • Blindness and vision issues
  • Respiratory problems
  • Shock
  • Hypothermia
  • Coma

Seizures, shock, and hypothermia can be due to brain herpes infection (Herpes encephalitisiA severe inflammatory brain condition resulting from an infection or autoimmune response. ), and this may often result in brain damage.

Prevention Of Birth-Acquired Herpes

Antiviral drugs during the last weeks of pregnancy reduce the risk of herpes transmission

Image: Shutterstock

The following precautions may reduce the risk of congenital herpes.

  • Taking antiviral medications during the last weeks of pregnancy to reduce the risk of transmission
  • Choosing cesarean delivery if the mother has genital herpes–this measure can effectively reduce the risk of herpes transmission during birth.
  • Practicing safe sex during pregnancy

Prognosis Of Birth-Acquired Herpes

Skin lesions may reoccur even after the treatment. Babies with systemic herpes or encephalitis may have a poorer prognosis than babies with skin lesions. Although antiviral therapy may help subside active infection, herpes may come back if there are favorable conditions since the virus remains dormant in the body.

Disseminated congenital herpes can result in neurological issues or coma, which can be life-threatening. Babies with systemic herpes infection may develop other potential health problems based on the organ affected.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How common is congenital herpes?

If a would-be mother gets an HSV infection before or during the first trimester of pregnancy, the chances of the baby being born with herpes is rare. However, in cases where the mother gets the infection during the last trimester of pregnancy, the chances of the baby being born with infection increase to 30-50 out of 100 births (4).

2. Does my baby have herpes antibodies?

Maternal antibodiesiDefensive proteins produced by the immune system in response to foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. may be transferred to the newborn. A study suggests that women with pre-existing herpes infection have a complete immune response to the virus and may pass those antibodies to the baby. However, if the infection is acquired during pregnancy, maternal antibody production may not be enough to reach the baby and protect them from severe outcomes (5).

Herpes virus cannot be eliminated from the body, but babies born with herpes may be treated with antiviral medications and supportive therapy. Babies may contract the virus from active as well as dormant maternal infection. Untreated herpes infection may have life-threatening consequences such as shock or coma. Check with your doctor if the baby develops skin lesions, breathing trouble, or jaundice. Transmission of active herpes from mother to child may be prevented by avoiding vaginal delivery and antiviral treatment of the mother during late pregnancy.

Infographic: Additional Tests For Congenital Herpes

Babies may acquire herpes infection during vaginal delivery if the mother is actively infected or has had the infection during the third trimester. But, regardless of the reason, these babies require immediate medical treatment. The following infographic gives an insight into additional tests a doctor may recommend to know the extent of congenital herpes in newborns.

additional diagnostic tests for birth acquired herpes (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • Congenital herpes is a condition where babies develop a viral herpes infection in the mother’s womb or during the birth process.
  • This infection might give rise to complications such as respiratory problems and seizures in newborns.
  • Talk to a pediatrician if your baby develops blisters or shows signs of fatigue, trouble breathing, and feeding.
  • Though we cannot eliminate the infection, it is manageable by antiviral medications.

Illustration: Babies Born With Herpes: Causes Symptoms And Prevention

Babies Born With Herpes_illustration

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

Learn how to treat cold sores in babies safely and effectively. Check out this informative video and get some tips on how to soothe and protect your little one’s skin.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

1. Congenital Herpes Simplex; The US National Library of Medicine
2. Birth-acquired Herpes; Johns Hopkins Medicine
3. Pregnancy and herpes; MedlinePlus; The US National Library of Medicine
4. Neil D. Fernandes; Congenital Herpes Simplex; NCBI
5. Dartmouth Researchers Find that Mothers’ Antibodies Against HSV-1 Can Protect Their Infants from the Virus; Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine
6. Genital herpes in pregnancy; The US National Library of Medicine
6. William J Muller and Xiaotian Zheng; Laboratory Diagnosis of Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infections; Journal of Clinical Microbiology; NCBI (2019)

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Dr. Anisa Vahed
Dr. Anisa VahedMMed
Dr. Anisa Vahed did her MBChB from Stellenbosch University in 2009 and specialization in Pediatrics & Child Health from the University of Cape Town in 2019. She also holds a Diploma in Child Health from The Colleges of Medicine of South Africa.

Read full bio of Dr. Anisa Vahed
Dr Bisny T. Joseph
Dr Bisny T. JosephMedical Doctor
Dr. Bisny T. Joseph is a Georgian Board-certified physician. She has completed her professional graduate degree as a medical doctor from Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia. She has around 5 years of experience in various sectors of medical affairs as a physician, medical reviewer, medical writer, health coach, and Q&A expert.

Read full bio of Dr Bisny T. Joseph
Rohit Garoo
Rohit GarooBSc, MBA
Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.

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Shinta Liz Sunny
Shinta Liz SunnyM.Tech
Shinta is a biotechnologist who is highly intrigued by science and technology. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University.

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