Current opinion in obstetrics & gynecology
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Curr. Opin. Obstet. Gynecol. · Apr 2009
ReviewHerpes simplex virus: incidence of neonatal herpes simplex virus, maternal screening, management during pregnancy, and HIV.
Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection is often severe, if not fatal. What is our understanding of the epidemiology of this disease? How is it diagnosed? Would maternal screening for herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) in pregnancy make a difference? Does maternal HSV alter transmission of HIV vertically or horizontally or both? These questions continue to be pursued and unfortunately, there are few clear answers. ⋯ Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection is a rare and serious neonatal illness. The true burden of disease is uncertain. Several recent retrospectively determined incidences identify a case rate of about one per eight thousand live births. HSV reactivation occurs more often than previously thought. Current prophylactic HSV strategies do not decrease horizontal or vertical transmission of HIV-1.