Yes, a newborn can get herpes from the mother during pregnancy, birth, or close contact, but fast treatment keeps many babies safe.
Can A Newborn Get Herpes From The Mother? Main Ways It Happens
Parents sometimes hear the question can a newborn get herpes from the mother? and feel instant fear. Herpes sounds scary, and anything that might harm a baby quickly jumps to the top of the worry list. The good news is that neonatal herpes is rare, and there are clear steps that lower risk and help doctors treat it early.
Herpes simplex virus, usually HSV-1 or HSV-2, passes from person to person through close contact with skin or body fluids. A baby can pick up the virus in three main time windows: before birth, during birth, or in the first weeks after delivery. Most cases come from contact with genital fluid during a vaginal birth when the mother has active genital herpes.
| Transmission Window | How The Virus Reaches The Baby | Relative Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Before Birth (In Utero) | Virus crosses the placenta during a new infection in pregnancy. | Rare, small share of cases. |
| During Vaginal Birth | Baby’s skin and mouth contact genital sores or viral shedding. | Main route, most reported cases. |
| During Cesarean Birth | Brief contact with genital fluid, usually after membranes break. | Lower risk than vaginal birth. |
| After Birth From Mother | Kissing the baby with a cold sore or touching sores then the baby. | Less common but possible. |
| After Birth From Other Adults | Visitors with cold sores kissing or close contact. | Rare but documented. |
| Breastfeeding Contact | Feeding from a breast that has active herpes blisters. | Risk when sores are present on the breast. |
| Household Items | Sharing towels or utensils right after touching a sore. | Low risk; virus survives poorly on dry surfaces. |
Guidance from bodies such as the CDC herpes treatment guidelines explains that preventing new genital herpes in late pregnancy and avoiding direct contact between a baby and fresh sores are central steps in prevention.
Newborn Herpes From Mother: How Big Is The Risk?
Neonatal herpes happens in only a small share of births, yet it can cause serious illness when it does occur. Estimates from specialist groups place the rate in many countries at a few cases per hundred thousand births. For any individual pregnancy, the chance that a baby will become sick from herpes stays low, especially when parents and care teams know about the infection and plan care.
The level of risk depends less on the label “herpes” and more on the timing and type of the infection in the mother. Doctors describe three broad patterns: a first ever genital infection in late pregnancy, a new infection with a second virus type in someone who already has antibodies, and a flare of a long standing infection.
First Genital Herpes Episode Near Delivery
A first genital herpes outbreak in the last weeks of pregnancy brings the highest risk for the baby. The mother has not yet built strong antibodies against the virus, so she cannot pass those protective antibodies to the baby through the placenta. Viral shedding at the birth canal also tends to be heavier and longer during a fresh infection.
In this setting, babies have a higher chance of catching herpes during vaginal birth. Many guidelines advise a planned cesarean section if a first episode genital infection appears in the final weeks before delivery, since this can sharply cut exposure at birth.
Recurrent Genital Herpes During Pregnancy
When a pregnant person has had genital herpes in the past, the picture looks different. Antibodies pass through the placenta over time and give the baby partial protection. If sores flare close to delivery, doctors may suggest a cesarean birth, especially when lesions are present on the day of labor.
Risk for the baby from a recurrent outbreak is much lower than from a first episode, yet it is not zero. This is why many providers prescribe antiviral medicine during the last month of pregnancy for people with a known history of genital herpes, aiming to suppress outbreaks and reduce shedding as labor approaches.
No History Of Herpes But Silent Shedding
Many adults carry herpes simplex without clear symptoms. Some mothers of babies with neonatal herpes report no prior diagnosis. Silent shedding in genital fluid can pass the virus to the baby even when no sores are visible. This pattern is harder to predict, which is one reason neonatal herpes still occurs in families with no known history.
Symptoms Of Herpes In A Newborn
Herpes in a newborn baby often starts with subtle signs that can easily be confused with other newborn problems. The illness usually appears in the first four weeks of life. In some babies the virus mainly affects the skin, eyes, or mouth. In others it reaches the brain or spreads through many organs.
The NHS neonatal herpes guidance stresses that any young baby who seems unwell should be checked quickly, since early antiviral treatment improves outcomes.
Early Warning Signs To Watch For
Call your baby’s doctor or seek urgent care straight away if you see any of the following warning signs in the first month:
- Poor feeding, strong sleepiness, or difficulty waking.
- Floppy body tone or unusual irritability.
- Fever, low temperature, or unstable temperature.
- Breathing faster than usual or struggling to breathe.
- Skin blisters, especially grouped fluid filled spots.
- Red or watery eyes, or blisters around the eyes.
- Yellow skin or eyes, which can signal liver stress.
- Seizures, jerking movements, or staring spells.
These signs do not always mean herpes, yet they always deserve fast medical review. Newborns can become seriously ill in a short time, and early treatment for any serious infection matters.
Diagnosis And Treatment For Neonatal Herpes
If a doctor suspects herpes, they will act quickly. The care team will ask about any history of cold sores or genital herpes in the parents or close contacts, then check the baby carefully from head to toe. They may take swabs from the baby’s skin, eyes, mouth, or nose, as well as blood and spinal fluid samples, to look for the virus with sensitive laboratory tests.
Once herpes is on the list of possible causes, doctors usually start antiviral medicine such as intravenous acyclovir without waiting for final test results. Newborns often stay in hospital for several weeks of treatment. Many units follow detailed clinical plans so that every step, from the first blood test to follow up imaging and hearing checks, happens on a clear timetable.
| Type Of Neonatal Herpes | Main Features | Common Treatment Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Skin, Eyes, Mouth (SEM) | Blisters on skin, mouth ulcers, red or sore eyes. | Intravenous acyclovir for several weeks, eye drops when eyes are involved. |
| Central Nervous System (CNS) | Seizures, poor feeding, low alertness, abnormal muscle tone. | Longer antiviral course, brain imaging, close neurologic follow up. |
| Disseminated Disease | Infection spreads to liver, lungs, and other organs. | Intensive care, full course of intravenous antivirals, care for affected organs. |
Even after hospital treatment, many babies stay on oral antiviral medicine for several months to lower the chance of relapse. Long term follow up with pediatric teams helps track hearing, vision, growth, and learning so that any lasting effects can be picked up early.
How To Lower The Chance Of Passing Herpes To Your Baby
Knowing the routes of transmission makes it easier to cut risk. Parents who ask can a newborn get herpes from the mother? are already taking a useful first step by seeking clear information before or during pregnancy.
During Pregnancy
Tell your midwife or obstetrician if you or your partner have ever had genital herpes or frequent cold sores. That history can shape birth planning. Many providers offer suppressive antiviral medicine from around 36 weeks of pregnancy for people with recurrent genital herpes. This approach helps reduce outbreaks at term and limit viral shedding during labor.
To avoid new genital herpes in late pregnancy, use condoms with any partner whose status is unclear and avoid oral sex if a partner has an active cold sore. Partners with known herpes can talk with their own clinician about daily antiviral treatment to reduce shedding while the pregnant person carries the baby.
During Labor And Delivery
If genital sores or tingling symptoms appear close to delivery, tell your birth team straight away. Direct examination and sometimes laboratory tests help decide whether a cesarean section offers a safer route. In many guidelines, a planned cesarean is advised for a first genital herpes episode in the six weeks before birth, especially when lesions are present.
Medical teams also limit invasive procedures during labor in higher risk settings, such as scalp electrodes or instruments that could scrape the baby’s skin. Shorter time between waters breaking and birth can help as well, but the exact plan always depends on the overall health of mother and baby.
After Birth At Home And In Hospital
Once the baby arrives, infection control steps matter just as much. Simple habits reduce risk from both parents and visitors:
- Anyone with a cold sore should avoid kissing the baby until the sore heals.
- Wash hands with soap and water before touching the baby, feeding, or changing nappies.
- Keep any active sores on the body covered with a plaster or dressing.
- If blisters appear on the breast, stop feeding from that side until it fully heals and ask a health professional for feeding advice.
- Keep newborns away from crowded visits in the first weeks so fewer people handle the baby.
These steps may feel strict, yet they help protect a newborn immune system that is still learning how to fight infections of all kinds, not only herpes.
When To Seek Urgent Medical Help
Contact your baby’s doctor, midwife, or local emergency service at once if your newborn seems unwell and you know that you or a close contact have herpes. Mention the history clearly, including any genital outbreaks during pregnancy or cold sores around the time of delivery.
Go straight to emergency care if your baby is hard to wake, breathing rapidly, feeding poorly, turning blue, or having any seizure like activity. Time matters with neonatal herpes, and swift antiviral treatment can save lives and reduce long term complications.
Herpes in adults is common and manageable. With clear planning in pregnancy, careful steps around the time of birth, and quick action if a newborn seems sick, most parents with herpes deliver and raise healthy babies. Thoughtful habits and early medical review give your baby strong protection against this rare but serious infection.