Herpes on the lips during pregnancy at different stages

Herpes on the lips during pregnancy

When herpes appears on the lips during pregnancy, the woman is overcome with anxiety for her unborn child. After all, the virus can penetrate through the maternal bloodstream into a defenseless embryo, destroy or disfigure it.

How dangerous is this type of herpes for the fetus? How to behave correctly if herpetic rashes appear during pregnancy?

Is it possible to protect the body of the expectant mother and baby from unwanted infections?

Women should know all the information on this topic in advance in order to take safety measures in time and not get upset unnecessarily.

Herpes on the lip during pregnancy

Differences in the treatment of herpes in pregnant women

When a cold appears on the lips, you should figure out how to treat the disease. And how to do it right.

Medicines

Treatment should begin with the external use of antiviral drugs. Only a doctor can prescribe ointments. The pills are not prescribed to pregnant women, with the exception of severe illness.

Medicines containing acyclovir do not affect the condition of the fetus. Since they act only superficially, they are not absorbed into the blood and tissues.
Zovirax ointment and acyclovir contain the same active ingredients; they differ only in price and country of origin.
A modern antiviral drug approved for use in the treatment of pregnant women is fenistil pencivir cream.

The product should be applied to the affected areas in a thick layer, lightly rubbing into the skin. Repeat the procedure as the ointment dries. Duration of therapy is at least 5 days. Even if the blisters began to dry out earlier, treatment cannot be stopped.

Important! Before purchasing a medicinal ointment, the affected areas can be lubricated with toothpaste, liquid vitamin E, or Corvalol.

If the disease is accompanied by severe pain, the lips can be lubricated with menovazine or benzocaine ointment. Medicines prohibited for the treatment of herpes during pregnancy:

famvir;
Valtrex;
foscarnet.

Diet

A diet aimed at maintaining immunity is also important for successfully getting rid of the disease. If the body is deficient in vitamins and microelements, this also affects the baby’s health. All chronic ailments worsen, hair and nails suffer.

During treatment of herpes, the diet should contain more protein foods. All necessary substances are found in lean meat and fish, fruits and vegetables. Raisins and chocolate should be completely avoided.

If before the onset of herpes the mother did not take special multivitamin complexes for pregnant women, it is imperative to start taking them during illness. You can strengthen your immune system with plant-based immunostimulants - ginseng, echinacea.

HSV and pregnancy

There are 8 types of human herpes virus, the most common of which is herpes simplex virus (HSV).

HSV-1 settles in the ganglia of the trigeminal nerve and causes so-called herpes labialis: rashes appear on the lips, near the nose and mouth.

VRG-2 hides in the sacral ganglion, because penetrated through the genitals, and provokes genital herpes, which affects the lower part of the body.

Being a parasite, the herpes virus uses a living cell for its reproduction. Herpes infection is detected by vesicles - rashes containing fluid with dead cells and hundreds of new infectious virions.

The limits to the spread of herpes in the body are set by human immunity. A strong immune system quickly produces antibodies, blocks the reproduction of the herpes virus, which finds refuge in the nerve ganglia and goes into hibernation.

Rashes on the lips or genitals that bother a person from time to time are a signal that the immune system is weakened and the herpes virus has returned to where the initial infection occurred.

Herpes on the lips in pregnant women is a sign of weakened immunity, which is inevitable during this period of a woman’s life and is considered physiologically normal.

An egg with an embryo is a foreign body for the female body, subject to rejection. To prevent this from happening, during pregnancy the expectant mother decreases the production of hormones responsible for immunity.
In the early stages of pregnancy, changes occurring in a woman’s body are perceived as stress. Restructuring of internal organs, toxicosis, anxiety, nervous excitability - all this weakens defensive reactions.
In later stages of pregnancy: in the second and third trimesters, the mother’s immune defense is insufficient due to a lack of vitamins, which in large quantities go towards the formation of the fetus.

The inevitable decrease in a woman’s immune defense during pregnancy leads to the activation of bacterial and viral infections, so herpes on the lips during pregnancy is a common and understandable phenomenon. 30-35% of women during pregnancy have herpetic rashes on the lips.

But is herpes on the mother’s lips dangerous for the unborn baby? The group of TORCH infections, the viruses of which can penetrate the placenta and infect the fetus during pregnancy, includes herpes types I and II.

Therefore, a doctor, having discovered a rash on the lips of a pregnant woman, includes her in the risk group. The danger of infection depends on various factors, but herpes must be treated.

Herpes on the lips during pregnancy

Relapse Prevention

Once in the body, the herpes virus remains in it forever. It will manifest itself with every immune failure.

The likelihood of a fetus becoming infected with herpes in utero is extremely low. An increased risk is observed with primary genital infection in the mother. In this case, the child becomes infected while passing through the birth canal.

If you are tormented by herpes with its frequent occurrences, you should pay attention to prevention:

Timely treatment of any diseases. Herpes appears on the lips only when the immune system is weakened. If this is not allowed, you will not encounter the disease during pregnancy.
Immunostimulating therapy. If a woman knows about the presence of a virus in her body, she must tell the specialist who is managing her pregnancy about this. Since the appearance of herpes at some stages of pregnancy is unsafe for the baby, you will need to take immunostimulating drugs during this period. There are medications that can be taken even during pregnancy - they will not harm the baby in any way.
Proper nutrition and daily routine. A pregnant woman should already take care of this issue, because the health of the newborn depends on her behavior during pregnancy. The presence of herpes and the need to prevent its occurrence during pregnancy can be considered an additional motivating factor.
Compliance with personal hygiene rules. Timely brushing of teeth, rinsing the mouth, washing the face and protection with cream or hygienic lipstick will remove microflora that weakens the body. This will reduce the likelihood of rashes.

Herpes is a viral disease that can be dangerous due to its course and complications. Since this happens with improper treatment or its absence, you can protect yourself only by consulting a doctor in a timely manner. Timely treatment guarantees a quick recovery for the woman and no harm or any consequences for the child.

When is herpes dangerous during pregnancy?

There are several factors when herpes on the lips during pregnancy becomes a threat to the fetus.

Herpes is very dangerous if primary infection occurs during pregnancy. It is unlikely because in 95% of the population this virus enters the body from childhood. If the mother has not had cases of herpes before pregnancy, the immune system collects information about the pathogen and begins to develop means to fight it. Hormones appear in the blood - immunoglobulins of the IgM class. Strong immunity solves the problem quickly, the person does not even notice that he is sick.

When defense reactions weaken, it takes more time to fight the disease (from 2 weeks to 2 months).

At this time, the virus multiplies, there is a possibility of it entering the blood of the mother and then the fetus.

Causes and symptoms of appearance during pregnancy

In a normal state of immunity, the body's protective cells suppress its activity and control reproduction. It is impossible to get rid of it, it is present in all systems and fluids of the body, but medicine has learned to effectively deal with it. You can become infected with herpes:

from a person with active rashes when using general hygiene products;
upon contact through kisses, intimate relations;
by airborne droplets, if when a sick person talks, droplets of saliva fly out and land on the mucous membranes of a healthy person;
during the birth process. The virus is transmitted from mother to newborn if she has active rashes in the birth canal.

The symbiosis of the herpes virus and humans is comfortable for the latter; the disease is asymptomatic for a certain time until the immune system fails.
Occurs in the following cases:

stress, overwork;
bad habits;
hypothermia and colds;
avitaminosis;
taking medications;
hormonal fluctuations;
pregnancy.

Anyone who has had a herpes infection on the lips once will recognize the symptoms at an early stage when they reappear. The manifestations of viral rashes are identical for everyone: a slight tingling and tingling appears, redness and swelling at the site of the disease, small itchy blisters filled with clear liquid appear. Rashes cause physical and aesthetic discomfort. The rash is localized in the corners of the mouth and on the upper lip. After 4-5 days, the swelling subsides and the blisters begin to dry out. On days 7-9 there will be no trace of the disease. If the blisters have spread to the skin around the lips, then the redness that persists for some time will be a reminder of the infection.

Inflammations from herpes, depending on the type, can appear on other parts of the body, including the genitals. The symptoms are standard: itching, swelling, blisters. Wherever the rashes appear, piercing or scratching them is strictly prohibited: the liquid contained in them contains a huge amount of active viruses that can get on household items and infect others.

Killer virus

The causative agent of herpes, which the human immune system successfully copes with, becomes a real killer for the fetus in intrauterine development.

In the early stages of pregnancy, HSV-I and HSV-II, having penetrated the placenta, can cause:

miscarriage;
frozen pregnancy;
premature birth;
stillbirth:
serious pathologies in embryo development.

If all tests confirm a high probability of infection of the embryo in the first trimester, the doctor raises the question of the need to terminate the pregnancy; You can hope for a favorable outcome if the primary infection of the mother occurred at the end of the second trimester.

At later stages of pregnancy - in the II-III trimesters - the consequences for the baby are also unfavorable:

pathologies of the heart, brain; viral pneumonia;
congenital herpes;
visual impairment, hearing impairment;
physical defects;
Cerebral palsy, epilepsy and other central nervous system disorders.

Recurrence of genital herpes in late gestation creates conditions for infection of the newborn during passage through the birth canal. Signs of the disease do not appear immediately and adequate treatment of herpes in an infant may be delayed. Therefore, if a pregnant woman is suspected of having genital herpes before giving birth, the doctor recommends a cesarean section.

In most cases, unfavorable prognoses associated with primary infection with HSV-I are the result of violations of hygiene rules when the expectant mother cares for her body and during sexual relations.

Do not touch or tear off the crust from the vesicle on the lips.
It is not recommended to touch the genitals with contaminated hands.
It is necessary to abstain from oral-genital sex.

It is not herpes on the lips that is dangerous, but carelessness in which a woman’s genitals are exposed to primary infection, and this already poses a threat to the normal development of pregnancy.

Herpes on the lips in pregnant women

Medicines for topical use

Very often, the same manufacturer produces remedies for herpes both in the form of ointments and in the form of capsules/tablets, so the names may be the same.

Acyclovir

The composition of the product is similar to tablets with the same name, but the substances act only on the outer integument of the mother, without reaching the child. Application: Apply a thin layer to the affected areas of the skin 5 times a day until the rash disappears. After application, wash your hands thoroughly. Can be used at any stage of pregnancy.

Sometimes causes dizziness, nausea, headache. The ointment is available in tubes of 5 or 10 g.

Zovirax

In 35% of cases, doctors treat herpes on the lips during pregnancy with this remedy, preferring ointment to tablets and powder of the same form. Zovirax is harmless for a child at any month. The ointment acts only on the mother's skin, killing the virus in herpes blisters locally.

Application. Using a cotton swab or clean fingers, apply a thin layer of product to the affected area of skin. Repeat 3 times a day for 5 days. If traces of infection still remain, the course can be extended to 10 days, but prior consultation with a doctor is strongly recommended.

Possible side effects (rare): allergic rash, redness or swelling; very rarely - anaphylactic shock. 5% ointment is available in 5 g tubes.

Vivorax

For external use, 2 forms are available: cream and ointment. Their effectiveness is the same. Allowed with caution during pregnancy in the absence of allergies to components.

Application: Apply to the affected area 4 times a day. The duration of the course is 5 days. Possible side effects: allergies.

Diagnosis and treatment of herpes during pregnancy

Analyzes.

When herpes appears on the lips, it is important to find out whether this is a primary infection in the mother , and whether intrauterine infection of the embryo occurred.

In addition to blood tests for antibodies (they are given in each trimester and before childbirth), the affected tissues are examined, as well as PCR - a polymer chain reaction that detects herpevirus DNA in the patient’s secretions.

Indications of enzyme immunoassay (ELISA):

(IgM -); (IgG -) : no antibodies to herpes; possible primary infection; you need to be especially careful when coming into contact with virus carriers.
(IgM+); (IgG -) : active primary form of the disease, possible infection of the embryo; additional fetal ultrasound examinations, etc. are necessary.
(IgM+); (IgG +) : reactivation of the disease (or primary infection from 1.5 to 5 months ago) - the diagnosis needs to be clarified.
(IgM -); (IgG+) : there is protection against herpes, there are no threats to the health of the mother and the unborn baby. The last version of the analysis results is typical for 80% of women of reproductive age.

Differences in types of herpes

Primary infection with the herpes virus cannot be distinguished from recurrent disease without laboratory testing of blood samples. The analysis determines the presence of antibodies to each strain of infection. When an active phase of the disease is detected, indicating a primary infection, antiviral therapy is prescribed to both sexual partners to reduce the likelihood of relapses.

If the diagnostic result reveals the presence of antibodies to the virus, the pregnant woman has already encountered herpes before, and a relapse will not lead to serious deviations in the health and development of the baby. Transmission of the infection to a child is possible during childbirth, the probability is less than 1%.

Symptoms.

External symptoms of herpes infection:

temperature increase;
deterioration of the condition characteristic of intoxication;
painful and itchy vesicles on the lips.

The vesicular bubbles burst within two to three days and form a wound on the face, which heals and dries out in 3-4 days.

This is evidence that the body has coped with the disease. In cases of a weak protective reaction, the sore on the lips does not heal for a long time and oozes.

What you need to know about herpes during pregnancy: causes and mechanism of occurrence

Herpes virus type 1 is a common infectious disease that is transmitted by direct contact and airborne droplets.

A newborn can become infected from the mother at the time of natural birth. The good survival of pathogens outside the human body determines the extent of the spread of the disease.

Once the virus penetrates the host, it remains there forever. With good body resistance, the immune system does not allow the pathogen to spread and suppresses its growth. Then the herpes virus goes into latent form and waits for the right day to become active.

It has long been known that it is impossible to cure herpes. The infectious agent settles in the cells of the human body, and it is not possible to get it out of there. To eliminate the virus, you will have to destroy the entire cell, and this contradicts the original goal - recovery.

Treatment.

Treatment of herpes on the lips during pregnancy has limitations: antiherpetic drugs can cause more harm than the herpes itself.

Only ointment is used for topical use; tablets and injections are contraindicated.

Ointments against herpes:

"Acyclovir": preserving human cells, stops viral reproduction; in tablets penetrates the placental barrier, therefore it is contraindicated during gestation. It is recommended to treat lesions on the lips with ointment up to 5 times a day. In some cases, Zovirax is used, which has a similar effect.
"Panavir": a herbal preparation in the form of a gel, this drug can be used in the 2nd-3rd trimesters.
Analogs of Acyclovir: Famvir, Foscarnet, etc., are dangerous for pregnant women.
Antibacterial ointments. Opened vesicles are wounds that create a breeding ground for bacteria and microbes. To speed up the healing of wounds, ointments are used:
"Oxolinic";
"Tetracycline";
"Erythromycin", etc.

Wounds on the lips are treated with Interferon solution, vitamin E, and lubricated with rosehip and sea buckthorn oil.

Immunostimulants. To help the immune system during the treatment of herpes, according to patient reviews, the following are effective:
suppositories "Viferon" and "Genferon", which are administered rectally, in the 3rd week of gestation;
tinctures of ginseng, echinacea, preparations with B vitamins;
balanced diet: meat, fish, fruits, vegetables.

In cases of severe weakening of the body's defense reactions, immunoglobulin therapy is indicated.

It is necessary to treat herpes on the lips during pregnancy under the supervision of a doctor.

Based on the analyses, he sees the whole picture of the condition of the mother and child, can determine whether they are in danger, and choose the optimal means to help.

Compliance with all medical prescriptions, personal hygiene and strengthening the immune system - all this will allow you to give birth to a healthy baby and not panic about a cold on the lips.

Review of safe tools

Labial herpes (rashes on the lips) in pregnant women is treated topically with the following drugs, available from pharmacies without a prescription:

acyclovir in the form of ointments, creams, gels;
iromontadine ointment;
alpizarin ointment;
oxolinic ointment;
Zovirax;
herpetad;
agerp;
Viferon;
virolex.

The drugs are aimed at suppressing the activity of viruses at the site of application. In some cases, an interferon solution is prescribed by injection. Treatment of lip herpes that appears during pregnancy involves taking pills to stimulate a woman’s immune system.

Herbal preparations that affect the general condition of the body and are prescribed by a doctor:

dietary supplements;
ginseng;
echinacea;
Eleutherococcus;
vitamin complexes.

After the blisters open and begin to dry out, balms or capsules with vitamin E (tocopherol, aevit) are applied to the lips to speed up healing. Traditional medicine claims that raw potatoes and calendula ointment have a positive effect on the speed of rash healing.

Who had herpes early on?

Women who have encountered the herpes simplex virus in the early stages speak neutrally about the disease. They say that the pathology appeared suddenly due to decreased immunity.

However, the illness did not last long. After 1-2 weeks, not a trace remained of the rash. Most patients did not resort to herpes treatment methods at all. The body coped with the problem on its own, without reflecting the pathology on the child.

Modern rules for monitoring pregnancy involve conducting blood tests in the early stages and studying TORCH infections.

The test results allow you to find out in advance about the presence or absence of antibodies in the patient’s body. If a woman has never encountered the herpes simplex virus before, she will be at risk, which the doctor will definitely notify.

Consequences

The negative consequences of herpes on the lips during pregnancy can develop due to primary infection. Also, adverse reactions from the use of drugs occur when they are used incorrectly or when the ointment is applied for more days than prescribed by the doctor.

In other cases, the prognosis is favorable. You should not self-medicate or open herpetic rashes.

Where can it be localized?

Depending on the type of first contact with the virus, the clinical picture of the disease will depend. Most often, rashes appear in the area of the lips, oral mucosa (soft and hard palate, gums, etc.), and herpes in the nose is also not uncommon in the early stages of pregnancy. Less commonly, the eyes and other organs (lungs, bronchi, etc.) are affected. The more severe the immunodeficiency, the more areas are affected and the more severe the infection.

During the sexual route of infection, foci appear on the mucous membrane and skin of the labia, and upon examination, pathogens are found both on the cervix and in the cervical canal.