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Herpes simplex and pregnancy
Two years ago, I contracted the Herpes simplex virus and ever since, have had intermittent attacks with sores and feelings of nausea. I’d like to get pregnant but am scared this could harm the foetus. Can it cross the placenta? Also, are there any remedies I can take to boost the immune system and minimise the severity and duration of these attacks?
Dr Deborah McManners, a qualified doctor and practising naturopath, says the herpes virus,
which lies dormant in the infected areas between attacks, will not harm your foetus but your obstetrician may consider a Caesarian Section delivery to protect your baby if you have an active infection towards the end of your pregnancy.
What you need to do both before and during pregnancy is bolster your immune system to reduce both the severity and the duration of any attack. You should be eating a low sugar diet and cutting out refined foods. In addition, a daily dose of garlic, which has an anti viral activity, has been shown to help. McManners recommends Quest Kyolic, which you take daily to help prevent an attack and then increase the dosage at the first sign of tingling, which signals an outbreak.
If sores do develop, you can use Tea Tree oil on the affected area. Melissa (lemon balm) cream will also help abort a threatening attack. Both stress and sunlight can be triggers, particularly if you’re feeling at a low ebb, so take up some form of relaxation exercise and try to eat more foods which are rich in the amino acid, lysine. This suppresses another amino acid called arginine, which actively promotes the herpes virus. Lysine-rich foods include vegetables, legumes, fish, turkey and chicken.
*Dr Deborah McManners works at The Hale Clinic (0171-631 0156) and at The Chaucer Hospital in Canterbury, Kent (01227-455466).