YOUNG-WOMEN Messages for February, 2002: Re: Pregnancy and Herpes

Re: Pregnancy and Herpes

From: William McIntosh, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 19 Feb 2002 10:14:39 -0600 (CST)

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In reply to: Myself: "Pregnancy and Herpes"

At Tue, 19 Feb 2002, Myself wrote: >
>My husband has herpes and genital warts. ( punishment for his bad
>decisions i think). We have been very careful, following doctors
>directions, to prevent myself from catching anything. So far, knock on
>wood, I have had no signs of herpes or genital warts. My question is,
>now my Husband and I want to have a child. Is there anything we should
>do different because of my husband's ummm....Condition? I want to have a
>baby badly but I do not want to do anything that would harm a child.
>Thank you so much for your time.

Complicated question. Obviously, you can't practice safe sex, and get pregnant. The Herpes is the real question. Unless you were a virgin before you met your husband, you are virtually certain to have the HPV virus, even if you don't have the warts. He can still shed the Herpes virus, even if he does not have active lesions, so there is a risk there of you contracting it. While secondary herpetic outbreaks are not a big deal in pregnancy (the only real concern is active lesions at the time of labor, which is a circumstance that requires a C/S; other than that, vaginal delivery is fine, and the herpes cannot get to the baby while the membranes are intact). On the other hand, a Primary outbreak while pregnant is a potentially serious concern. I might suggest that you have antibody testing to see if you have already been exposed, as this would significantly reduce concern. Talk with your doctor.

-- William D. McIntosh, MD, FACOG

This is for educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for consultation and examination by a licensed medical professional.

Next message: kavita: "late periods"
Previous message: Joy: "Re: first irregullar menstral cycle in 3 years"
In reply to: Myself: "Pregnancy and Herpes"

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