Abstract
Herpes Simplex virus (HSV) infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted
infections among women of the reproductive age. It is estimated to affect about 2−3%
of pregnant women. Vertical transmission during pregnancy is rare occurring in less
than 1% of cases but for those with active lesions or shedding the virus asymptomatically
the risk of vertical transmission intrapartum is high. Neonates with HSV may develop
severe consequences such as disseminated, central nervous system and skin, eye mouth/mucous
disease or suffer mortality. A high index of suspicion, timely diagnosis and institution
of appropriate treatment during acute and recurrent episodes will reduce the risk
of vertical transmission and therefore neonatal consequences. Routine screening for
HSV in pregnancy is not recommended. This review provides an overview of HSV in pregnancy,
diagnosis and management especially around unique scenarios such as prelabour preterm
rupture of fetal membranes and presentation with active disease in labour.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 04, 2021
Accepted:
January 30,
2021
Received in revised form:
January 27,
2021
Received:
November 14,
2020
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V.
