She should tell her clinician if she or her sex partner has ever had genital herpes. The clinician can help her watch for symptoms during her pregnancy. Together they can plan the best care for herself and her baby. She should avoid unprotected oral, vaginal, and anal sex during pregnancy if her partner has a history of herpes or if she has any concerns about being exposed. An infected partner may also want to consider suppressive therapy throughout the woman's pregnancy.
Pap tests can detect very early precancerous changes in the cervix.
All women should have a Pap test at least once a year. Studies show that people with any kind of genital sore can get HIV more easily. It usually appears as oral herpes and is most often spread without sexual contact. More than 45 million Americans have gotten herpes through sexual contact. Half a million new cases are diagnosed every year.