Genital herpes, the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world according to the World Health Organization (WHO), can have serious consequences for pregnant women and newborns.
- Genital herpes, consecutive in 80% of cases to the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is transmitted during sexual contact, hence the importance of means of protection during sexual relations.
- In France, this STD affects 20% of the sexually active population, especially people aged 25 to 35, according to Health Insurance.
Nearly 500 million people worldwide are living with Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), which causes genital herpes, according to the latest estimates from theWorld Health Organization (WHO).
Herpes virus infection cannot be cured
This sexually transmitted disease (STD) is often asymptomatic but can cause vesicular lesions in men and inflammation of the vulva in women.
“The lesions disappear in one to two weeks, without leaving scars, but the contagiousness persists until the lesions have healed. The virus never disappears, and it can be responsible for flare-ups, during febrile episodes, stress, during menstruation or in the event of repeated sexual intercourse. says doctor Brigitte Milpied in the Parisian.
These outbreaks, more or less discreet, result in vesicles “in bouquet”, painful, evolving towards small polycyclic erosions, often in the same place. They are an important source of virus dissemination and transmission, which is why doctors recommend avoiding sexual relations during outbreaks.
Herpes cannot be cured, reminds theWHO. This is because antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir, help reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms but cannot cure the infection.
In addition, the presence of lesions promotes the transmission of the AIDS virus and other sexually transmitted diseases: “People infected with HSV-2 have a three times greater risk of contracting HIV infection, if exposed to the virus“, says theWHO.
Genital herpes poses risks to the unborn child
The most important risk of genital herpes is the transmission of the virus from the mother to her baby during childbirth. In effect, “transmission to the child occurs in 85% of cases, during its passage through the maternal genital tract in the event of viral excretion, at the time of childbirth”, explains doctor Brigitte Milpied in the Parisian.
However, the consequences for the infant can be serious:Neonatal herpes varies in severity depending on the case, but it can endanger the life of the baby if it is not treated. It combines lesions on the skin and mucous membranes (vesicles, blisters, wounds), fever, damage to the eyes (conjunctivitis, keratitis, etc.), nervous system or other organs”. can we read on the site of theHealth Insurance.
Thus, precautions are taken during childbirth to avoid contact of the baby with maternal herpes lesions. If lesions are visible, a caesarean may be decided.
According to Dr. Milpied, 5% of pregnant women have a history of recurrent genital herpes and among the large panel of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), genital herpes is predominant. This is why in its latest report, the WHO emphasizes the need to improve awareness of the disease and to strengthen prevention and treatment services.
