In order to prevent the transmission of the virus to someone else she should make sure that she always has safe sex. She may also consider avoiding sex altogether during a flare-up. Since herpes can be transmitted through contact with an open sore she can protect her sleeping partner from contracting herpes by covering any open sores. For this same reason a woman with herpes may have to choose a cesarean section if she is experiencing any active herpes sores just prior to childbirth. If a woman has active herpes sores and delivers her baby through her vagina she puts her child at risk of contracting the virus during birth.
Newborns can have much more serious consequences including brain damage, blindness and death.
Any woman who is pregnant and has herpes should discuss her birthing options with her doctor and prepare for the possibility of a cesarean. For this reason a woman who has herpes should take the important preventative measure of getting a regular Pap smear. Anti-viral drugs, such as Valtrex, Zorivax, and others do not cure or prevent transmission of the disease. However, they can help keep the disease under control. They can minimize outbreaks, and decrease the length and severity of the outbreaks that do occur.