The authors discuss the epidemiology, risks, diagnosis, management, educational needs, and psychological needs of pregnant women. Health care providers, through the use of this information, can decrease the devastating effects of the disease for both the mother and her unborn child. The potential effects of a herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection on a fetus or neonate are devastating. HSV infections in the newborn are associated with a case fatality rate of 60% and at least half of the survivors have significant neurologic or ocular sequelae or both. To date, the most effective treatment is prevention. Physicians and nurses are the key health care professionals to provide screening, information, counseling, support, and care for women in their reproductive years. It is imperative, therefore, that these health care providers have a thorough knowledge of the subject.
Journal description