Post Date November, 17 2024
Genital herpes is a highly contagious genital disease that can easily spread to sexual partners and cause various gynecological diseases if left unattended, seriously endangering the normal life of patients. So, can the fetus be harmed by genital herpes.
After the blood circulation in the placenta is established, the virus can invade the fetus through the blood circulation in the placenta. The deformation caused by this may include slow intrauterine development, and the fetus may have severe physiological defects such as congenital heart disease, cleft lip, and neural tube deformation. Genital herpes virus can also prevent the healthy development of fetuses, which have already passed away in the uterus before being born. About half of fetuses miscarry in the early stages of pregnancy after being infected with genital herpes virus.
About 50% or more of newborns are infected during childbirth. After the fetus passes through the birth canal, there will be a lot of genital herpes virus in the body fluids of the pregnant mother's birth canal, and the virus will be infected after entering the fetus. In this case of infection, the symptoms of newborns are more severe than those of intrauterine infections. Newborns may present with blisters, which quickly ulcerate and become swollen, forming a systemic infection. Babies have difficulty breathing and their body temperature can reach around 40 degrees Celsius. About half of newborns die after infection, and over 80% of surviving fetuses have neurological sequelae.
When genital herpes invades the central nervous system of the fetus, such as the brain and spinal cord, the fetus can exhibit neural tube deformation or death. The fetus may experience a head circumference that is less than normal, resulting in intellectual disability and inability to take care of themselves after birth.
The above is the potential harm that genital herpes can bring to the fetus. Therefore, if you suffer from genital herpes, you must go to a reputable hospital for examination as soon as possible and understand your condition. Only by actively cooperating with the doctor's treatment can you achieve good results, and you should also pay attention to factors such as diet in daily life.
