Neonatal herpes infection is caused by the cold sore virus. It is very uncommon in newborn babies.
How a baby gets neonatal herpes
Babies are most at risk of herpes if their mother develops genital herpes in the last 6 weeks of pregnancy.
Some babies get herpes after birth from someone with a cold sore.
Signs of neonatal herpes
Babies with neonatal herpes may have cold sores on the skin around their eyes or on their mouth.
They may be unwell and have:
- a high temperature
- poor colour
- irritability
- breathing difficulties
- a seizure
Neonatal herpes can be very serious or even fatal for young babies. It can affect their internal organs including the brain and the lungs. Their immune systems are not developed enough to fight the infection. The risk is highest in the first 4 to 6 weeks after birth.
What to do if your baby has herpes infection
Your baby can become unwell very quickly, so you need to act fast.
Urgent advice: Contact your GP urgently or go to your emergency department (ED) if you think your baby might have neonatal herpes and has other symptoms such as:
- a rash, blisters or sores on their skin - particularly around their eyes or mouth
- difficulty feeding
- irritability
- a high temperature (over 38 degrees Celsius)
They will need tests and treatment.
Non-urgent advice: Call 112 or 999 if your baby:
- will not wake up (unresponsive)
- is difficult to wake
- is having trouble breathing, is breathing fast or is making grunting noises
- has a blue tongue, lips or skin
- has a seizure (fit or convulsion)
Treating neonatal herpes
Your baby will usually be given antiviral medicine if they have neonatal herpes. This is given through a drip into a vein.
Sometimes the virus only affects a baby's skin, eyes or mouth. Most make a full recovery after treatment with antiviral medicine.
If the virus spreads to a baby's organs, the infection is life-threatening.
How neonatal herpes can be prevented
If you're pregnant and have genital herpes, tell your GP, obstetrician or midwife.
They may prescribe an antiviral medicine for you to take in the last month of pregnancy to prevent an outbreak of vaginal sores during labour.
If you get genital herpes during the last 6 weeks of your pregnancy, you might have a caesarean birth. Your doctor or midwife may talk to you about this.
If you have a cold sore or feel you are getting one:
- do not kiss your baby
- wash your hands properly before contact with your baby
- cover up any cold sores before breastfeeding if you feel it might lessen the risk of spreading the virus
Talk to your GP if you have herpes blisters on your breast or around your nipple. You may not be able to breastfeed from that breast.
