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Silent Herpes Kills Newborn in Hours

Summary

  • A baby died within 24 hours from a silent herpes infection.
  • The mother was unaware she had the herpes simplex virus.
  • The infection caused severe damage to the baby's organs.
Silent Herpes Kills Newborn in Hours

A newborn baby boy tragically died less than 24 hours after birth due to a silent herpes infection that ravaged his body in the womb. The 28-year-old mother, who had no known history of the virus, was unaware she was infected with HSV-2.

During pregnancy, scans revealed concerning signs, including a compromised heart. The infection caused severe brain and liver damage in the fetus. An emergency C-section was performed, but the baby was born in critical condition, exhibiting widespread skin sores and organ damage. Despite intensive medical care, the infant succumbed to the relentless infection.

This rare case, where the virus crossed the placenta, underscores the hidden dangers of herpes during pregnancy. Experts are now urging increased vigilance for unexplained fetal heart problems, as this devastating condition can occur symptom-free in mothers and often leads to fatal outcomes.

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Herpes can be asymptomatic, meaning the mother shows no symptoms but still carries the virus, which can then be transmitted to the baby during pregnancy or birth.
Neonatal herpes is a serious condition that can cause severe organ damage, including to the brain, liver, and lungs, and has a high fatality rate in affected infants.
Detecting intrauterine herpes is challenging as mothers often have no symptoms. Doctors now recommend vigilance for unusual fetal heart conditions as a potential red flag.

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