How Could Genital Herpes Affect My Baby?

Condition analysis:
If you are pregnant and have genital herpes, it is even more important for you to go to prenatal care visits. You need to tell your doctor if you have ever had symptoms of, been exposed to, or been diagnosed with genital herpes. Sometimes genital herpes infection can lead to miscarriage. It can also make it more likely for you to deliver your baby too early. Herpes infection can be passed from you to your unborn child and cause a potentially deadly infection (neonatal herpes). It is important that you avoid getting herpes during pregnancy.

If you are pregnant and have genital herpes, you may be offered herpes medicine towards the end of your pregnancy to reduce the risk of having any symptoms and passing the disease to your baby. At the time of delivery your doctor should carefully examine you for symptoms. If you have herpes symptoms at delivery, a "C-section" is usually performed.

Instructions:
1) Say ‘No’ to Ointments:
It’s tempting to slather on ointments to treat genital herpes, but these kinds of sores require a great deal of air in order to heal. Applying petroleum jelly and antibiotic ointments can hinder beneficial air that ultimately slows down the healing process.

2) Baking Soda:
Dry out genital sores by using a cotton ball to apply baking soda, which helps decrease itching.

3) Peppermint Tea:
Treat a fever and reduce pain by sipping on a cup of peppermint tea.