Management of herpes in pregnancy

Genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection during pregnancy poses a significant risk to the developing fetus and newborn. In the United States, the incidence of this sexually transmitted disease (STD) has increased significantly since 1970 (1). Because many women of childbearing age are infected or are becoming infected, the risk of maternal transmission of this virus to the fetus or newborn is a major health concern. The purpose of this document is to define the stages of herpetic infection, outline the spectrum of maternal and neonatal infection, including rates of transmission and risks, and provide management guidelines that have been validated by appropriately conducted outcome-based research. Additional guidelines based on consensus and expert opinion also are presented to permit a review of most clinical aspects of HSV.