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Pregnant With Herpes: Will You Transmit it To Your Unborn Child?

Pregnant With Herpes: Will You Transmit it to your Unborn Child?

If you have genital herpes and are pregnant you are undoubtedly worried about passing the herpes simplex virus on to your unborn child. Hopefully your doctor has talked to you at length about your options and how herpes will impact your pregnancy.In the event that you have not spoken to your doctor about this there are a few things that you should know:

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Can Children Catch Oral Herpes?

Can Children Catch Herpes?

It sounds like a pretty shocking question to ask doesn’t it? When people think of herpes, they usually think of a nasty sexually transmitted disease that is transmitted between sexually promiscuous people. Although herpes can sometimes be transmitted through sexual intercourse, what most people don’t realize is that over half the population also have herpes simplex type I, more commonly known as oral herpes. You want to know something else? Most of those people contracted it as children from harmless playing and harmless kissing.

The herpes simplex viruses are transmitted by skin to skin contact. What this means is that you do not have to have sexual intercourse or be physically intimate with a person to get it. If you are a parent with oral herpes and you give your children good-bye kisses before they go to school, or good-night kisses before they go to bed, then it is possible for you give them oral herpes.

I know you probably want to freak out, but it is a commonly spread virus between children. Even if you do not have herpes type I, if a classmate of your child has it, and they share a drink, give playful hugs, put pencils in their mouths and then share them – it can also be spread that way. Because the virus is so easily spread, many doctors consider it “harmless”. It is in fact harmless to the extent that it is not fatal. However the cold sores or outbreaks themselves can be painful and very unsightly. If your child does happen to catch oral herpes, make sure they understand that they should not share cups, they should avoid touching their mouths and then rubbing their eyes and practice good hygiene in general.

Can You Give Someone Genital Herpes if you Have Oral Herpes?

Can you give someone oral herpes if you have genital herpes?

There are two primary forms of the herpes simplex virus, herpes type I and herpes type II. Herpes simplex type I occurs primarily in and around the mouth and is more commonly referred to as oral herpes or cold sores. Herpes simplex type II, or genital herpes – occurs primarily below the waist line. Although it is called genital herpes, it is not restricted to just the genital area, but literally anywhere below the waist. This can include your lower back, pelvis, inner thighs and buttocks.

When a person realizes that the blister that they have on their lip that they once thought was a harmless sign of the changing seasons is actually herpes type I, one of the first questions they is whether or not they can pass it on genitally to their partner.

The very short answer to this question is, yes – you absolutely can pass on oral herpes to the genital area. Herpes simplex virus is transmitted by skin to skin contact through the mucous membranes. If you have an oral herpes outbreak and perform oral sex on your partner you can pass your herpes to them. When this happens, they will have genital herpes. Just like herpes type II, herpes type I outbreaks can be difficult to identify. Sometimes they look really bad like puss-filled blisters then there are other times when they look like simple pimples. Just as with genital HSV, if you think you are having an outbreak on your mouth, it is best to refrain from any sexual contact – including kissing.

Herpes Transmission: Understanding Asymptomatic Viral Shedding

Herpes Transmission: Understanding Asymptomatic Viral Shedding

Many people with the herpes simplex virus are are asymptomatic sufferers. What this means is that even when the virus is active, they show no outward signs. In herpes this period of asymptomatic outbreaks is known as viral shedding. When a person has viral shedding, the virus is active and they are considered contagious.

Due to the fact that there are no obvious outbreaks, it’s very difficult – if not flat out impossible to detect when a person is going through a viral shedding phase.There are still many things about herpes and transmission that are not fully understood at this point. One reason that the various forms of herpes are difficult to eliminate through normal medical treatment is that fact that they go dormant for long periods of time, which renders them relatively immune to treatment.

The asymptomatic shedding phenomenon makes it difficult, if not impossible to avoid passing herpes on to someone solely by avoiding sex during outbreaks. On the other hand, people who are essentially asymptomatic can learn to recognize the more subtle signs of activity even though they don’t get the painful outbreaks. The reason that so many people don’t recognize that they have herpes is not that there are no symptoms but rather the symptoms are mild enough to be ignored or mistaken for other kinds of problems.

Although the CDC estimates that 1 out of 6 adults has herpes, that percentage gets higher with increasing age, since it’s incurable. One estimate says that something like 80 to 90 percent of the population
has herpes type 1 by the time they reach 50 years of age.

If you or someone you are intimate with has herpes type 1 or type 2 (genital) it is important to know that the virus can be transmitted during viral shedding.

How easy is it to get genital herpes?

Whether you have herpes yourself, know someone who does, or are interested in dating someone with the virus – you will be full of questions and concerns. This is totally normal, due to the way that the herpes simplex virus has been demonized, it is often difficult to find unbiased answers to those questions. Although herpes can be considered a sexually transmitted disease, it is often seen as a dermatological condition that sometimes occurs on the genitals. I don’t say that to make light of the seriousness of the issue, but just to show that it isn’t a killer disease.

Here is one of the most common questions when it comes to dating someone who has herpes, when you do not.

Question: I just started dating this new guy and he has herpes. I really want to to continue seeing him but I’m concerned about contracting genital herpes. How easy is it to get herpes?

Answer: Your concern is a very valid one, especially since you do not have the herpes simplex virus. Oral and genital herpes is transmitted through skin to skin contact. It can be transmitted even when there aren’t visible indications (outbreaks) of the virus being present. What this means is that herpes can be passed from one person to the next during a phase caused viral shedding. Believe it or not, genital herpes can also be transmitted even when a couple uses condoms as protection. Your partner can drastically reduce the chances of you getting herpes by taking daily suppressive treatments like Valtrex. This, combined with the use of condoms should protect you, statitiscs state that the combination of suppressive therapy and condoms reduce the cross-infection rate by 98%

Can Herpes be transmitted with no symptoms?

Yes! Sometimes those who know they are infected spread the virus between outbreaks, when no signs or symptoms are present. This is called “Asymptomatic Transmission.”
Research also shows that herpes simplex infections are often spread by people who don’t know they are infected. These people may have symptoms so mild they don’t notice them at all or else don’t recognize them as herpes.

Many genital herpes infections are spread from persons who are asymptomatic “Shedders” of the virus.
For those who recognize their symptoms, asymptomatic transmission appears to be far less likely than spreading the virus when lesions are present. Many couples have had sexual relations for years without transmitting herpes. Some simply avoid having sexual contact when signs or symptoms are present. Others use condoms or other protection between outbreaks to help protect against asymptomatic shedding.

What to Expect Herpes Outbreak Symptoms

Herpes Symptom Evaluation

How many outbreaks have you had in the past year? If it was only one, it was one too many. You spend a great deal of your life, suffering physically and mentally. You wait for the next outbreak wondering if you could have prevented it. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the current outbreak was to be your last?

What happens when you first get herpes?

Symptoms of herpes usually develop within 2 to 20 days after contact with the virus, although it could take longer. These symptoms may last up to several weeks, varying from one person to the next. In many people, the first infection is so mild that it goes unnoticed. In others, the first attack causes visible sores. Even so, subsequent recurrences of the disease may cause lesions. When the sores are completely healed, the active phase of infection is over. Healing of the skin usually leaves no scars. In either case, the virus retreats into the nervous system and lies dormant.

Typical symptoms

The virus starts to multiply when it gets into the skin cells. The skin becomes red and sensitive, and soon afterward, one or more blisters or bumps appear. The blisters first open, and then heal as new skin tissue forms. During a first outbreak, the area is usually painful and may itch, burn or tingle. Flu-like symptoms are also common. These include swollen glands, headache, muscle ache or fever. Herpes may also infect the urethra, and urinating may cause a burning sensation.

How do you get Herpes?

Herpes is spread by direct skin to skin contact. Unlike a flu virus that you can get through the air, herpes spreads by direct contact, that is, directly from the site of infection to the site of contact. For example, if you have a cold sore and kiss someone, you can transfer the virus to their mouth. Similarly, if you have active genital herpes and have vaginal or anal intercourse, you can give your partner genital herpes. Finally, if you have a cold sore and put your mouth on your partner’s genitals (oral sex), you can give your partner genital herpes.

When Is Herpes Most Likely To Be Spread?

Herpes is most easily spread when a sore is present, but, it is also often spread at other times too. Some people notice itching, tingling or other sensations before they see anything on their skin. These are called “Prodromal Symptoms” and they warn that virus may be present on the skin. Herpes is most likely to be spread from the time these first symptoms are noticed until the area is completely healed and the skin looks normal again. Sexual contact (oral, vaginal, or anal) is very risky during this time.

How long does it take for Genital Herpes to show up?

Immediately after the virus is contracted, there is a genital herpes incubation period, which refers to the time between contracting the virus and the first sign of a symptom. This is typically two to twenty days. For some people, symptoms are never visible, so it is hard to identify when the genital herpes incubation period is over.

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Can I still get herpes if I use a condom?

Question:

Can I still get herpes if I use a condom?

Answer:

The short answer to this question is yes. Absolutely. Condoms will not protect you from either form of herpes, type 1 (oral) or type 2 (genital).  Herpes is transmitted via skin to skin contact through the mucous membranes (usually the mouth or genitals).

So if you have oral sex with someone who has genital herpes, or if you have oral herpes and perform oral sex on someone who does not have the virus – you can transmit it to them.

The internet often gives the worst case example of what herpes outbreaks look likes. But for many many people  affected with the herpes virus, their outbreaks can be small and virtually unnoticeable. This does not mean that the virus can’t be passed along. If a woman has intercourse with a man who has a small outbreak on his inner thigh for example, and it brushes against her vaginal area – it is possible for him to pass it on to her. The same can happen in reverse.

Our Recommendations for Natural Outbreak Treatments:

• Natural Herpes Outbreak Treatment

• Take Control of your Herpes

• Treat Outbreaks Naturally