Warning signs and possible treatments for neonatal herpes - TrendyNewsReporters Warning signs and possible treatments for neonatal herpes - TrendyNewsReporters
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Warning signs and possible treatments for neonatal herpes

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Photo credit: alamy

Neonatal herpes is a herpes infection in a young baby. The younger the baby, the more vulnerable they are to the harmful effects of infection.

According to NHS, herpes can be very serious for a young baby, whose immune system will not have fully developed to fight off the virus.

Neonatal herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus. This virus is very common and causes cold sores and genital ulcers in adults.

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) passed on through genital, anal and oral intercourse. Treatment from a sexual health clinic can help.

What are the warning signs in babies?

Because newborn babies have underdeveloped immune systems, they can quickly become seriously ill after catching the virus.

Call a doctor straight away if your baby:

1. is lethargic or irritable

2. is not feeding

3. has a high temperature (fever)

4.:has a rash or sores on the skin, eyes and inside the mouth.

These are early warning signs that your baby may be unwell.

Call emergency number immediately if your baby:

1. is lacking in energy (listless)

2. is becoming floppy and unresponsive

3. is difficult to wake up from sleep

4. has breathing difficulties or starts grunting

5. breathes rapidly

6. has a blue tongue and skin (cyanosis), if they have brown or black skin this may be easier to see on their lips, tongue and gums, under their nails and around their eyes.

Very often the baby will not have any specific herpes symptoms, such as a rash.

But they can become unwell very quickly, so you need to act fast.

How is neonatal herpes treated?

Neonatal herpes is usually treated with antiviral medicines given directly into the baby’s vein (intravenously). 

This treatment may be needed for several weeks.

Any related complications, such as fits (seizures), will also need to be treated.

You can breastfeed your baby while they’re receiving treatment, unless you have herpes sores around your nipples.

If you are taking antiviral treatment too, this can be excreted in your breast milk, but is not thought to cause any harm to your baby.

How serious is herpes for a baby?

Sometimes neonatal herpes will only affect the baby’s eyes, mouth or skin.

In these cases, most babies will make a complete recovery with antiviral treatment.

But the condition is much more serious if it has spread to the baby’s organs.

Many infants with this type of neonatal herpes will die, even after they have been treated. 

If widespread herpes is not treated immediately, there’s a high chance the baby will die.

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