Herpes simplex natural history, complications and prognosis
|
Herpes simplex Microchapters |
|
Patient Information |
|
Classification |
|
Herpes simplex natural history, complications and prognosis On the Web |
|
FDA on Herpes simplex natural history, complications and prognosis |
|
CDC on Herpes simplex natural history, complications and prognosis |
|
Herpes simplex natural history, complications and prognosis in the news |
|
Blogs on Herpes simplex natural history, complications and prognosis |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Herpes simplex natural history, complications and prognosis |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]
Overview
Pregnant women who have an active herpes infection on their genitals or in their birth canal when they deliver may pass the infection to their newborn infant. The risk of passing the infection to the baby is highest if the mom first becomes infected with herpes during pregnancy. Babies of women who become infected during pregnancy are at risk for premature birth. The baby may develop brain infection (meningitis, encephalitis) , chronic skin infeciton, severe developmental delays, or death. The risk for severe infection in the baby is lower in recurrent outbreaks, with the highest risk in women experiencing an outbreak at the time of delivery. Women with a history of herpes but who only have occasional or no outbreaks rarely transmit the infection to their babies.
Some people may develop severe herpes infections that involve the brain, eyes, esophagus, liver, spinal cord or lungs. These complications often develop in people who have a weakened immune system, AIDS, are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or who take high doses of cortisone. Someone with an active herpes infection who has sexual contact with someone who is HIV positive is more likely to contract HIV infection themselves.
Natural History
If left untreated herpes simplex can become recurrent. Neonatal herpes infection is a rapidly progressive disease resulting in CNS disease and disseminated disease. Clinical presentation of herpes initially include vesicular skin rash. Early diagnosis and treatment with acyclovir prevents the progression of disease. If left untreated the infection can rarely progress to involve the CNS and other organ systems. Involvement of CNS presents with irritability, confusion and respiratory difficulty. Disseminated disease may result in rare cases. CNS disease can have residual neurological deficits. [1]
Complications
- Recurrent painful genital sores
- Severe infection in immunocompromized
- Psychological distress
- Genital HSV can be fatal infections in babies.
- Increased susceptibility to HIV infections
- Damaged adrenals
Prognosis
References
- ↑ Kimberlin DW, Lin CY, Jacobs RF, Powell DA, Frenkel LM, Gruber WC, Rathore M, Bradley JS, Diaz PS, Kumar M, Arvin AM, Gutierrez K, Shelton M, Weiner LB, Sleasman JW, de Sierra TM, Soong SJ, Kiell J, Lakeman FD, Whitley RJ (2001). "Natural history of neonatal herpes simplex virus infections in the acyclovir era". Pediatrics. 108 (2): 223–9. PMID 11483781.