MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Congenital herpes

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Congenital herpes

Infants may acquire congenital herpes from a mother with an active, possibly inapparent herpes infection at the time of birth. Aggressive treatment with antiviral medication is required, but may not be effective in the case of systemic herpes.

Update Date: 11/18/2005

Updated by: John Goldenring, MD, MPH, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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