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Understanding Herpes Simplex Virus: Transmission, Diagnosis, and Considerations in Pregnancy Management
Author(s) -
Kriebs Jan M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of midwifery and women's health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.543
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1542-2011
pISSN - 1526-9523
DOI - 10.1016/j.jmwh.2008.01.010
Subject(s) - herpes simplex virus , asymptomatic , pregnancy , transmission (telecommunications) , medicine , childbirth , epidemiology , hsl and hsv , population , genital herpes , obstetrics , sex organ , immunology , virus , virology , biology , pathology , environmental health , computer science , telecommunications , genetics
Genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are frequently asymptomatic or undiagnosed, but more than half the US population is seropositive for HSV, and about one‐fifth are positive for HSV‐2. These two factors contribute to the risk for sexual transmission and therefore to the risk of late‐pregnancy acquisition of HSV. Most neonatal herpes infections are the result of undiagnosed, new‐onset HSV infection in the mother. This article reviews the epidemiology of HSV, risks of transmission, and testing and management of HSV during pregnancy. Options for evaluation and management are presented.