What is the likelihood that my baby will contract herpes later on in life?

September 18th, 2007

I already had herpes for a few years before I got pregnant with my daughter, and had outbreaks when I was pregnant. Now that my body has antibodies and my baby received those, what is the likelihood that she will get herpes simplex 1 (the type I have) later in life? What are the chances that she will get type 2? Are her chances less? - Anon

Here’s what I know from my own personal experience along with all the materials that I have read.

Yes, we do share our antibodies with our babies when we are pregnant and when we are breast feeding.

Once you give birth to your baby you no longer share your antibodies. The only time you would still share antibodies is if you chose to breast feed.

Once you stop breast feeding OR even after quite a bit of time breast feeding, I don’t think you continue to share antibodies.

What you could do is give your baby’s pediatrician a phone call and ask about this. I’d be interested in knowing more about what your doctor tells you.

Talk about herpes when you’re pregnant