WHILE most people have heard of herpes, many do not know that it can be highly dangerous in young babies.
Here's everything you need to know about the virus.
What is herpes?
Herpes is highly contagious and caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which triggers painful blisters.
It is spread by skin-to-skin contact - during vaginal, oral or anal sex - or even just a kiss.
There are two types of herpes - HSV 1 and HSV 2 - which enter the body through the moist skin of the mouth, penis, vagina and rectum.
Both types can cause cold sores on the mouth, genital herpes, whitlows (small abscesses) on the fingers and hands.
Herpes is a chronic condition as it can become active after years of lying dormant in the body.
The average outbreak rate is four to five times in the first two years of infection and less frequently afterwards.
What are the symptoms of herpes?
When it comes to herpes associated with cold sores, symptoms include:
- swollen and irritated gums with small, painful sores in and around the mouth
- sore throat and swollen glands.
- producing more saliva than normal.
- high temperature
- feeling sick (nausea)
Symptoms of genital herpes include:
- small blisters that burst to leave red, open sores around your genitals, rectum, thighs and buttocks
- blisters and ulcers on the cervix in women
- vaginal discharge in women
- pain when you pass urine
- a general feeling of being unwell and flu-like symptoms
What is neonatal herpes and how can babies catch herpes?
Neonatal herpes is when a newborn baby is infected with the herpes virus.
The infection can be restricted to a baby's eyes, mouth or skin. If this is the case, most babies will recover with antiviral treatment.
However, the condition can become life-threatening if the virus spreads to a baby's organs - such as the brain - and almost a third of babies in this situation will die, even if they receive treatment.
Babies are at risk if their mother has contracted genital herpes for the first time within the last six weeks of pregnancy and had a vaginal delivery.
The risk is much lower if the mother developed genital herpes or suffered a flare-up a significant period before the pregnancy.
The herpes virus can also be passed on if a person with a cold sore kisses a baby or a mother breastfeeds while she has herpes sores on her breasts.
How can neonatal herpes be prevented?
If you're pregnant and have had genital herpes at any point in your life, tell your doctor or midwife.
Medication may be prescribed to prevent an outbreak and delivery by caesarean section may be recommended if the herpes has occurred for the first time in the last six weeks of pregnancy.
If you develop a cold sore or think you're coming down with a herpes infection do not kiss babies and wash your hands before touching a baby.
If you're breastfeeding and have a cold sore wash your hands before feeding and cover up any cold sores so you do not accidentally touch them.