Clinical features in pregnant women
Primary HSV infection in pregnant females leads to vesicular lesions similar to those in non-pregnant state. It can result in more severe disease than that in the non-pregnant ones, in particular, gingivostomatitis and vulvovaginitis herpetica and there is a tendency towards dissemination. The acquisition of genital herpes during pregnancy has been associated with spontaneous abortion, intrauterine growth retardation, preterm labor, congenital and neonatal herpes infections. Recurrent episodes of HSV infection are characterized by the presence of antibody against the same HSV type as in the first episode. The herpes outbreaks are usually mild (7–10 days) with less severe symptoms than the first episode.