Congenital Herpes Simplex

Also known as: congenital HSV, neonatal herpes simplex, neonatal HSV.

What is congenital herpes simplex?

It is the condition caused by the Herpes simplex virus.  It is the virus that can be transmitted sexually or by direct skin contact and causes genital sores and other symptoms in adults. When the virus is passed to an unborn fetus by the mother, this is known as congenital herpes simplex.

What causes congenital herpes simplex?

The herpes simplex virus is the direct cause of congenital herpes simplex. In most cases, the baby contracts the virus while passing through the birth canal, but it can also occur in the uterus or after birth in some instances.

What are the symptoms of congenital herpes simplex?

Symptoms of congenital herpes simplex include seizures, difficulty breathing, jaundice, bleeding problems, shock and irritability.

What are congenital herpes simplex care options?

A baby with congenital herpes simplex will required intravenous antibiotics for several weeks to treat the infection.


Reviewed by: Manuel Rafael Cotilla, MD

This page was last updated on: November 18, 2021 02:42 PM

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