Can a fetus become infected with herpes inside the womb?
Yes. In this situation, herpes could have a harmful effect on the fetus before birth. This syndrome of congenital herpes is very rare. Some physicians believe that primary herpes (the first episode of herpes) in the mother may lead to infection in the womb, especially if primary herpes occurs in early pregnancy. However, most women who have primary herpes during the first 2 trimesters of pregnancy give birth to healthy babies. Nothing specific can be done to prevent congenital herpes, but the risk is very low. In fact, even women with a proven herpes infection inside the womb often have completely normal and unaffected babies. Most healthy and well-nourished babies who are born to women with herpes are very unlikely to develop problems.
