How to Treat Infant Herpes Infection

Infant herpes infection can be a serious and possibly life- threatening condition that occurs when a newborn has been exposed to herpes during delivery. An infant who has been diagnosed with herpes infection needs to receive treatment as soon as possible to avoid severe neurological and developmental consequences.

Instructions

• 1

  Take your infant to the emergency room or pediatrician's office if you notice any of the signs of herpes infection. If it is concluded that they are infected, medical treatment must be decided right away.

• 2

  Expect the infant to be hospitalized. Infant herpes infection requires treatment that is typically only available in a hospital setting. The infant may need to be treated in a hospital for several weeks.

• 3

  Start the infant on a course of antiviral medications. Acyclovir is the drug that is most often administered since it poses the least risk of causing complications in the infant.

• 4

  See about therapy for the baby. The infant may need additional therapies if she has suffered from shock or seizures due to the infection. They may need additional medications as well as physical therapy.

• 5

  Find out about aftercare. The doctor who has been treating your infant can give you instructions on how to care for your baby with herpes. Recurrences of the virus can occur throughout the child's lifetime and she may need suppressant medications.