What if a pregnant woman has herpes?
Women with genital herpes can have a safe pregnancy and normal birth. This is especially so when the diagnosis of genital herpes is made prior to pregnancy, this is because the woman will have antibodies in her blood that help protect the baby during pregnancy and birth. If the initial infection occurs during the last three months of pregnancy, large amounts of the virus will be present, increasing the risk to the baby. It is important that pregnant women tell their antenatal care provider if they have ever had a Herpes episode or think that they may have been exposed to the virus. This will allow for careful monitoring of the individual circumstances and appropriate advice, treatment and care. What is the relationship between herpes and cancer? The herpes virus is not directly implicated in the development of cervical cancer. However, the herpes lesion provides an easy route for other STIs to get access to our bodies. It is now known that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that
