The Insider’s Guide to Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus

An incident took place at Brighton where a baby deceased in response to neonatal herpes simplex virus. Kit tara just survived for 12 days, and the next day the herpes virus became deadly. Facts are not known explaining how did he contract herpes virus.

Kit tara seemed healthy at the time of his birth, but as time passed, the herpes virus started taking over his body. When he was fighting to baby herpes (A viral infection), the diagnosis showed a bacterial infection. Doctors did not perform any viral diagnosis.

After his death, the herpes blood test disclosed, he had Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus.

James de Malplaquet and Sarah Higson, parents of deceased baby speak in a statement. “Watching his son’s agonizing death was extremely painful.” Now, James de Malplaquet and Sarah Higson are running a Kit Tarka Foundation, making the society aware of such a lethal virus.

Another Incident

Another observation comes into the light where eight days baby girl succumbed to death after a little kiss, otherwise termed as “the kiss of death” by her mother. Abigail (mother) blames herself of his daughter’s death. She thinks that a little kiss exposed her daughter to baby herpes.

Such of these heart-wrecking instances somewhere an indication to every mother to be vigilant of such deadly viruses. Do these incidents deliver us a lesson? What makes neonatal herpes simplex virus so lethal? We are going to cover the topic from scratch and also try to elaborate on the profound concept of neonatal HSV.

We will also be covering up the symptoms, preventive measures, different diagnosis methodologies, effective treatment options, and what a mother should do to help protect her baby from this epidemic.

Understanding Of Herpes In Baby | Toddler Herpes | Baby Herpes | Neonatal Herpes

Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection is an incurable ailment accountable for popping up blisters in the perinatal period. Having herpes antibodies in neonates can manifest life-threatening conditions. It can disseminate itself in the central nervous system and may cause permanent brain disabilities. Toddler Herpes has staggering mortality and morbidity rate in contrast to other herpes infections.

Roughly, eight types of Human herpesviruses identified which are having the potential to infect humans. HSV 1 and HSV 2 are prominent among them. Both human herpesviruses typically involve in bearable herpes manifestation, but sometimes it aggravates to some dire consequences.

Unfortunately, Human herpes virus has a dark side. It can become a silent killer in toddler herpes. Observing Herpes in a baby may make you anxious but, seriously speaking, it is a time to take the prompt action. Few antiviral compounds like Acyclovir and valacyclovir significantly decrease the mortality rates in such a condition. Before giving antiviral medicaments to your baby, consult your physician ASAP.

What Factors Cause Herpes Exposure To Neonates?

Having antibodies to HSV makes you contagious at any given time. The transmission chances significantly increase when you have active herpes outbreaks.

Scientific data reveals that infants are immensely vulnerable to herpes exposure during birth.

“A woman who becomes seropositive to herpes infection during pregnancy is more likely to disseminate such infection than who already had several herpes outbreaks.” Said Maria R. Chapman, Gynecologist, and Obstetrician.  

She also added, “Newly infected woman does not develop antibodies to shield their baby. Mother’s herpes antibodies travel across the placenta to protect the baby in the womb.”

Our Immunity takes time to develop antibodies against pathogens”.

Clinical findings also see Kiss a mode of Herpes Transmission in a baby. Various incidents reported to date where a kiss caused Herpes in infants.

The mode of transmission can be anything,  direct or indirect. The thing you need to keep in mind that when a baby exposed, make sure, the infant should be getting prompt and high-grade medical attention. Doing this would be life-saving.

Symptoms That Can Be The Part Of Neonatal Herpes

If you have a perception that you can quickly identify the symptoms of Neonatal Herpes, you need to grow up. Researchers did not see a regular pattern of Neonatal Herpes symptoms. Symptoms are nonspecific; hence, the high grade of observation is required.

An estimation is, about 33 percent of neonates with herpes infection develop only herpetic encephalitis. Initially, fever may not be a matter of concern, but, later on, it might be. Neonatal HSV may also be causing respiratory problems, Psychological complaints, and Seizures. Inadequate breastfeeding can also be a sign of toddler herpes.

A new york city based M.D Amaya Leone has specialization in neonatal Herpes. She said to Herpes cure care, “Mortality and morbidity rate is higher in infants dealing with changed consciousness, prematurity, and encephalitis.”

Herpes Bumps anywhere on the body may be a sign of herpes virus invasion. Your baby may also be dealing with cold sore if the intrusion of the herpes virus is there. Toddler Cold sores typically not seen.

Some other frightening conditions may occur, including Jaundice, Bleeding, and multiple organ failure (extremely rare).

Herpes virus also seems to be affecting Adrenal glands, Liver, and other visceral organs (Disseminated Disease). SEM (Skin, Eye and Mouth Disease) typically seen in neonates at 10 to 12 days of age.

Central Nervous System (CNS Disease) with disseminated diseases occur between 17 to 19 days of existence.

How to Know If your Neonate Is Secretly Fighting To Herpes Pathogen?

Prediction of Herpes just by seeing a few symptoms is inappropriate. Even if a toddler has Herpes, they may not exhibit the classic herpes symptoms like Cold sore, fever blisters, herpes Rashes, or signs of Herpes on baby’s face.

Getting your baby tested may help to uncover the diagnosis dilemma. Your general physician may perform a few tests simultaneously to certify positive or negative herpes diagnosis.

Viral Culture Test, PCR Test, IgG Test, IgM Test, and Herpes Blood Test are available to diagnose Neonatal Herpes Infection.

For a deep understanding of how herpes tests work – Tap on What Is Herpes Test | Herpes Blood Test Accuracy.

Worth Notable Preventive Measures Of Toddler Herpes

More than 50 000 women voluntarily participated in a study to determine the prevalence rate of Neonatal Herpes. The finding is, 30.8  Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus cases per 100 000 live birth detected.

A recent trial by NHANES has projected 33 baby herpes cases per 100000 live births. Comparing both trials, the prevalence of such infection seems consistent. The same consistency noted since a decade.

The consistency is an indication that the present preventive measures are not that much productive; hence, it must be readdressed.

We are offering some national guidelines that might help you prevent herpes transmission to neonatal.

Preventive Measures

US and UK prevention guidelines focus on cesarean delivery in case the herpes virus detected during pregnancy. Even if the mother had a herpes outbreak six weeks before the labor pain, the cesarean delivery recommended.

For recurrent herpes outbreaks, suppressive therapy may cut the chances of cold sores at the time of delivery. Trials suggest Acyclovir and Valacyclovir be safe for pregnancy use.

Pregnant women need to abstain from any sexual activity that may lead to Herpes genitalis exposure.

Add serological test in routine to regularly check your HSV status. Prenatal care is necessary.

Genital secretion of women should be thoroughly examined to identify the risk of neonates herpes.

Neonatal Herpes Treatment | Management

Neonatal herpes simplex virus may represent an infection that usually hard to manage and treat. Instances reported that even if the prompt and high graded treatment provided, the mortality rate is still high. The neonate who survives from this severe illness may leave with lifelong Sequelae.

In spite of the high mortality rate, taking the right steps at the right time sometimes prevent the human herpes virus from exhibiting devastating outcomes in neonates.

Even if the herpes diagnosis is in process, the treatment regimen should be started presuming Herpes in the baby.  Intravenous antiviral like Acyclovir should be given under the guidance of health care professionals. Herpes viruses do not like the mechanism Acyclovir has to offer.

20 mg of Acyclovir per kg of baby weight three times a day is considered an apt treatment regimen for neonatal Herpes. To better perceive the treatment regimen, let us help you. We are assuming a baby weight 3.5kg then the dose would be 3.5kgX20mg (70 mg) three times a day. Eight hours of the gap should be there with this treatment regimen.

Kindly Note: This information is for education purpose only, this advice should not be interpreted as professional advice. You are advised to consult doctor before starting any treatment.

The span of the treatment regimen dominated by the intensity of diseases. e.g., SEM, CNS, Disseminated Diseases.

For SEM Diseases, 14 days of treatment regimen must be there in the treatment plan. CNS diseases and disseminated diseases require more intensive care. The treatment span for such infections requires nearly 21 days of the treatment regimen.

Worth notable, high doses of Acyclovir may allow neutropenia to take over infants. To reduce the chance of neutropenia adequate hydration is highly recommended.  

Neonatal HSV often requires supportive respiratory therapy in case of respiratory complaints involvement. Assimilating Intravenous therapy, Seizure management, and rectifying blood clotting abnormalities can help increase the survival rate of a baby.