Neonatal herpes (herpes in a baby)
Overview
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.
Symptoms
A newborn baby has an underdeveloped immune system, which means they can quickly become seriously ill after catching herpes. Babies born prematurely are particularly at risk. Call a GP or NHS 111 straight away if your baby: is irritable and will not settleis not feeding as well as usualhas a high temperature (fever) of 38C or more –find out how to take your baby's temperaturehas a rash or sores on their skin, eyes and inside their mouth These are early warning signs that your baby is unwell and may need urgent treatment. Call 999 immediately if your baby: is lacking in energy (lethargic and listless)has a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but a rash will not always develop) – this rash may be harder to see on brown and black skinis becoming floppyis not responding to you in their normal wayis difficult to wake up from sleepis breathing rapidly, has difficulty breathing, or makes noises when breathing (grunting)has a seizure (fit)is peeing less than normalis crying constantly and you cannot soothe or distract them, or their cry does not sound like their normal cryhas a blue tongue or 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 or blisters. But they can become unwell very quickly, so you need to act fast.
Prevention
If you're pregnant and have a history of genital herpes, tell your doctor or midwife. It's also very important to tell your doctor or midwife if you think you have the symptoms of genital herpes during your pregnancy. This is particularly important if this is the first time you think you've had the virus. Getting genital herpes treated as soon as possible will reduce the risk to your baby. If your partner has herpes symptoms then you should use a condom during sex, especially in your 3rd trimester. You may need to take medicine during the 3rd trimester of your pregnancy to prevent an outbreak of vaginal sores during labour. Birth by caesarean section is recommended if the genital herpes has occurred for the first time in your 3rd trimester, particularly the last 6 weeks of your pregnancy. You may also need to take medicines after birth if you develop herpes blisters on your breasts. If you develop a cold sore or have any signs of a herpes infection, take these precautions: do not kiss any babieswash your hands before contact with a babywash your hands before breastfeedingif you develop any blisters on your breast do not feed from it until all the blisters are healedcover up any cold sores, lesions or signs of a herpes infection anywhere on your body to avoid passing on the virus