The drug Acyclovir is indicated for the treatment of all types of herpes simplex, as well as for the treatment of herpes zoster. And although the contraindication for the use of Acyclovir is only increased sensitivity to the drug, use of Acyclovir for pregnant women is allowed only in exceptional cases.
What is the herpes virus?
Herpes simplex virus is transmitted by contact with the patient or his carrier. Ways of penetration of the virus:
- Contact . Dispatched when in contact with the patient's items.
- Sexual . At the sexual certificate or act the virus of genital herpes is transferred.
- Oral . Infection occurs with a kiss.
- Transplacental . The virus is transmitted in utero from the mother to the fetus.
- Intranatally . Infection occurs when the child comes into contact with the genital tracts of the sick mother during childbirth.
It penetrates through the mucous membranes and damaged skin. With the lymph virus enters the lymph vessels, blood, and internal organs, excreted in the urine. But the specificity of the virus is that after a while it disappears from the body, but in the nerve nodes near the gate penetration remains latent (latent) state for life and is activated under adverse environmental conditions. The virus manifests as painful and itchy rashes in the form of fluid-filled blisters. Rashes are localized on the border of the skin and mucous membrane. The genital virus can be asymptomatic.
Herpes and pregnancy: possible complications
Herpes is one of the viruses that can be the cause of miscarriage, fetal death and spontaneous miscarriage, intrauterine growth retardation , premature birth. Therefore, after similar situations, before a new planned pregnancy and during pregnancy, a study is scheduled for the presence of a virus in a woman.
The use of acyclovir in pregnancy for the treatment of herpes
Acyclovir penetrates the placental barrier and adversely affects the fetus, and therefore it is not used in the first trimester of pregnancy. Acyclovir in pregnancy (tablets and lyophilate for the preparation of solutions) is contraindicated for general treatment, but sometimes in the third trimester of pregnancy the drug is used topically (as an ointment or cream).
Acyclovir (ointment) during pregnancy - instruction
Ointment Acyclovir is released in the form of 5% for external use and 3% ophthalmic ointment. To treat herpes on the mucous membrane of the genitals, it is better to use 3% ophthalmic ointment. When the herpes rashes on the genital tract or the isolation of the herpes virus from the genital tract diagnosed in the laboratory, 35-35 weeks can be prescribed for local treatment of herpes with Acyclovir ointment to prevent infection of the child in childbirth. Before applying ointment mucous should be well washed with warm water and dried with a towel. Ointment is applied to the damaged skin and mucous membrane every 4 hours with a thin layer. The course of treatment can last from 5 to 10 days.
Acyclovir (cream) during pregnancy - instruction
Cream Acyclovir is released as a 5% cream weighing 100 grams. But for the treatment of genital herpes, the cream is not suitable. It is used to treat other types of herpes simplex (on the lips, on the wings of the nose). The cream does not enter the bloodstream of the mother and therefore it is used topically during pregnancy, the method of application is the same as that of Acyclovir.
If local treatment with Acyclovir was ineffective, and the virus continues to be secreted by the sexual pathway of a pregnant woman, then it is necessary to prevent infection of the unborn child in childbirth. For this, the delivery is by caesarean section.