Birth acquired herpes

Alternative names:

congenital herpes; herpes - congenital; HSV

Treatment:

Herpes virus infections in infants must be treated aggressively. Intravenous medications (medications given into the vein) are given to fight the virus. These IV medications may include acyclovir or vidarabine.

Treatment may also be needed for reversal of shock and correction of coagulation defects.

Expectations (prognosis):

Infants with systemic herpes or encephalitis frequently have poor outcomes despite antiviral medications and early intervention.

Complications:

• meningitis, meningoencephalitis, encephalitis
  • mental retardation
  • autism
  • motor function disturbances

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have delivered a baby vaginally and you had genital sores or active genital herpes lesions (or if you think you may have had these sores when you delivered your baby).

If your baby exhibits any of the symptoms listed in this document, have the baby seen by the health care provider promptly.