Taking genital herpes treatments when pregnant does not lead to birth defects, a new study has found.

A number of expectant mothers develop herpes simplex in the first three months of their pregnancy. This condition is treated by antiviral treatments such as Valtrex and Famvir. A recent study was conducted in Denmark to determine whether these treatments affect child birth.

The study team looked at 837,795 infants born in Denmark from January 1996 to September 2008. They focused on the children whose mothers had filled out prescriptions for herpes treatments. The researchers found that there was little difference in the rate of birth defects in children born to mothers who used the treatments, compared to those who didn’t use the antiviral medications.

“Pregnant women needing treatment for a herpes infection in the first trimester can use antivirals without concern about birth defect risk” said lead researcher Dr Bjorn Pasternak.

The researchers revealed that 1,804 of the expectant mothers used antiviral genital herpes treatments. 2.2% of the children born to these mothers suffered from birth defects. This is compared to a 2.4% birth defect rate for the children whose mothers didn’t use the treatment.

Reassuring

Dr Jennifer Wu, who is an obstetrician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, reacted to the study’s findings. Dr Wu said that the results were “reassuring for patients who may need to use the medications in the first trimester”.

Genital Herpes affects many men and women, worldwide. The condition has been found to affect a larger proportion of women than men. The herpes virus cannot be totally cured. However, the symptoms can be easily be easily eradicated, and the treatments can also prevent the spreading of the virus.

Men and women who are worried about genital herpes are advised to visit a doctor in order to discuss any issues.