There is no need for surgical treatment for
genital herpes. But if you are pregnant and genital
herpes is diagnosed or suspected at the time of labor and delivery, a
cesarean section (surgical) delivery may be
recommended to protect the baby from getting a herpes simplex infection, which
can cause serious health problems. A mother can pass the
herpes simplex virus (HSV) to her baby if she has a
sore or blister present during a vaginal delivery.
risk occurs during a first-time (primary) outbreak of genital herpes. Usually
in these cases the woman either does not have symptoms or is unaware of
symptoms. Experts disagree about the use of cesarean section delivery in women
with recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes.
Cesarean section may be recommended if a woman
has symptoms such as tingling or pain (prodromal symptoms) that signal an
impending outbreak. For these women, acyclovir (Zovirax) used in the last 4
weeks of pregnancy may reduce the need for delivery by cesarean section by
reducing the risk of a recurrent outbreak at the time of delivery.
A cesarean section is usually not done if a woman with recurrent genital
herpes has blisters or sores only on her thighs, buttocks, or another area that
is not close to the vagina.