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GENITAL HERPES AND BRAIN EFFECTS could pose a threat to an infant who contracted the virus from the mother who had an outbreak for the first time in the last trimester of pregnancy. For pregnant women the presence of infection (visible or non-visible sores) on the external genitalia and in the birth canal pose high risk for the infant to get infected. Subsequently in severe infection it could lead to cases of GENITAL HERPES AND BRAIN EFFECTS, herpetic meningitis, chronic skin infection, and in unfortunately even death.

Encephalitis -- a very serious infection of the brain is caused by GENITAL HERPES AND BRAIN EFFECTS that if left untreated will progress to coma and even death within a few days. Encephalitis is the inflammation of the brain usually caused by a virus including herpes simplex virus. However, it is a rare disease that only occurs in approximately 0.5 per 100,000 individuals. Encephalitis most commonly occur in children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems and those who are suffering with HIV and others. Those who survived and recovered often suffer some other impairment from mild neurological impairment to paralysis.

The symptoms of genital herpes infection in the newborn include sores that develop in the skin or mouth and eyes. If the infection is severe it could crawl to other parts and organs of the body that could develop serious permanent damage to nerves or the eyes. Babies infected with genital herpes virus could be irritable, no appetite for food, seizures and others. Even with treatment, about half of the infants with severe infections that involve internal organs could develop brain infection a result of GENITAL HERPES AND BRAIN EFFECTS. In some cases it could unfortunately lead to death.

About 50 percent of the survival rate of the babies that have widespread infections develop brain damage that can result in mental retardation, cerebral palsy, seizures, blindness or deafness. The result of the GENITAL HERPES AND BRAIN EFFECTS can be devastating to the mother and the baby. It is heartbreaking to see a small innocent human being penalized by careless behavior of his/her parents. It is extremely important for mothers to pay attention to their sexual activities when pregnant.

Infected newborns that had GENITAL HERPES AND BRAIN EFFECTS are treated with acyclovir or another antiviral drug called vidarabine. These drugs is effective in treating localized infections of the eyes, skin or mouth, but is not guaranteed in treating infection that spread to the brain and other internal organs.

To avoid complications the pregnant mother who had previous history of genital herpes should consult a doctor if she is planning to get pregnant. If she is pregnant and she is involved in a relationship with a man who is potentially at risk of having such disease, she should get tested to find out if there are antibodies to HSV-2 present. Doctors will perform a C-section to deliver a baby if the mother is infected or having lesions near the birth canal to help prevent passing the virus to the baby.