What are the symptoms of herpes infection in the newborn?
Some infected newborns develop skin or mouth sores or eye infections. When the infection remains limited to these organs, most infected babies develop normally, although serious permanent damage to nerves or the eyes can occur. However, herpes infections in newborns often spread to the brain and many internal organs. Infected babies may appear irritable, eat poorly and have seizures. Even with treatment, about 30 percent of infants with widespread infections involving the internal organs die, as do about 4 percent of those with brain infections (3). Many babies who survive widespread infections and brain infections develop lasting disabilities, such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, seizures, and vision or hearing loss. back to top How are infected newborns treated? Infected newborns are treated with acyclovir (4, 6). This drug is quite successful in treating localized infections of the eyes, skin or mouth. It is important to treat infected babies early, before the infection sprea
