A 26-year-old woman at 36 weeks of gestation presents to the GP with painful genital blisters. This is her first ever episode. She has a clinical diag...

Question

A 26-year-old woman at 36 weeks of gestation presents to the GP with painful genital blisters. This is her first ever episode. She has a clinical diagnosis of primary genital herpes. Which is the single most important consideration regarding delivery?

Accepted Answer

Caesarean section should be recommended as primary genital herpes in the third trimester carries a high risk of neonatal herpes with vaginal delivery

Answer

Vaginal delivery is safe provided the lesions have crusted

Answer

Aciclovir treatment will eliminate the risk of neonatal transmission

Answer

Elective caesarean section is only needed if the woman has recurrent herpes

Answer

The risk of neonatal herpes is negligible with primary third-trimester infection

uk-drcog MCQ (SBA): Primary Genital Herpes in Pregnancy

A 26-year-old woman at 36 weeks of gestation presents to the GP with painful genital blisters. This is her first ever episode. She has a clinical diagnosis of primary genital herpes. Which is the single most important consideration regarding delivery?