A member asked:

Can you be born with herpes?

5 doctors weighed in across 3 answers
Dr. Carla Enriquez answered

Specializes in Pediatrics

Yes : But not the way you think. Herpes acquired in the birth canal can can cause severe neonatal infections. Herpes progenitalis (what you are questioning, i believe) is a sexually acquired infection (std).

Answered 10/27/2016

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Dr. Jay Park answered

Not really: Newborn infant gets exposed to the virus in the birth canal and becomes infected.

Answered 1/21/2019

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Define "born with": If a kid is delivered to a mom through a birth canal contaminated with her first herpes outbreak, there is real risk that the baby could acquire the germ.The germ then enters the baby's system, travels to the brain and usually causes a fatal encephalitis. Later outbreaks are less risky but some women have c-sections to avoid the risk. They don't acquire localized genital herpes that way.

Answered 11/18/2017

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Related Questions

A member asked:

Will your baby be born with birth defects if you have genital herpes?

7 doctors weighed in across 3 answers