The herpes simplex virus (HSV) is of two kinds. A virus of the first type, which affects the mucous membranes of the nose, the cube, the eye, the skin. The second type of virus infects the genitals and is genital. Once introduced into the body, HSV lives in it during the life of a person, causing sometimes relapses.
Getting into the body, the virus actively develops and with the blood flow and along the nerve trunks from the source of reproduction propagates through the body. Often in the female body, the herpes virus affects the cervix (its canal). For a long time, HSV can be hidden, asymptomatically exist and at a time when female immunity is weakened, it can become more active. A pretty good period for herpes is pregnancy. Consider how dangerous herpes is during pregnancy.
Dangers of herpes during pregnancy
Herpes during pregnancy can seriously harm the health of the child. Premature birth, underweight, external deformities, mental underdevelopment, lesions of internal organs. Herpes on the lips, nose is not as dangerous as genital herpes in pregnancy.
In pregnancy, genital herpes is especially dangerous for women's health and baby's health. Herpes destructive effect can have on the tissues, organs of the fetus. Due to the severity of the pathologies that may occur in the fetus, this virus only leads to rubella. At the beginning of pregnancy, primary infection can be the cause of undeveloped pregnancy and spontaneous abortions. The occurrence of herpes in the second half of pregnancy is dangerous congenital anomalies of the fetus. This threatens retinal pathology, microcephaly, congenital viral pneumonia, heart defects, etc. The herpes simplex virus often causes the death of a baby after birth. It can also cause the herpes virus of epilepsy, deafness and child cerebral palsy. Women who have a herpes simplex virus are asymptomatic, are more likely to become a source of infection for the baby than women who have a typical manifestation of the disease.
When planning a pregnancy, the expectant mother should know that bearing a baby is a great stress for the body, defensive forces are exhausted during it. Often physiological changes cause an exacerbation of many latent infections, herpes is no exception. Before the onset of pregnancy, it should be examined for the presence of HSV on the mucous genitalia, and also to determine the presence of antibodies to the virus. In case if during pregnancy there is a herpes in a woman, and the level of antibodies will match the norm, then the baby with the virus will get antibodies to him and there will be no danger to his health. If during pregnancy a woman has primary herpes, or an exacerbation of HSV with rashes in the genital tract or on the cervix, then there is a danger of this situation. Increased risk of infection of the baby at birth, while passing through the birth canal.
If there is a pregnant woman in the blood of the virus, intrauterine infection of the fetus occurs in the absence of antibodies to the virus. Through the placenta or during childbirth, the herpes virus infects the child. The risk of infection of the baby with prolonged childbirth increases and depends on the severity of the infection. Also increases the risk of contracting the crumbs with a prolonged anhydrous period. Quite often in such cases, the pregnant woman is sent to the planned cesarean section.
Herpes is very dangerous during pregnancy. If you plan to become a mother in advance, you should definitely visit a doctor and examine the cavity. Also, if herpes occurred during an interesting situation, then at the first symptoms of the disease, seek help from specialists.