A campaign for the NZ Herpes Foundation sets out to fight the "stigma" & 'hurty feelings' associated with herpes. It’s a health campaign which doesn’t tell the inconvenient biological truths.
Most children who acquire oral herpes probably get this from their mothers or other close relatives who can't resist kissing those gorgeous wee faces, but you don't get genital herpes from kisses from close relatives.
Genital herpes (that is untreated and active during labour) is a death sentence for babies, which is why it is important to be honest with midwives during pregnancy. There is safe medication that can be taken that allows a safe vaginal passage for babies, otherwise a caesarean section is needed to protect your baby from the effects of neonatal herpes.
And I echo your call for honest discussions around multiple sexual partners, especially for young women, who can have major negative health impacts from multiple partners. This is not a value judgement, but a statement of medical facts. Not having these discussions leaves young people unable to make informed choices about their behaviour.
Most children who acquire oral herpes probably get this from their mothers or other close relatives who can't resist kissing those gorgeous wee faces, but you don't get genital herpes from kisses from close relatives.
Genital herpes (that is untreated and active during labour) is a death sentence for babies, which is why it is important to be honest with midwives during pregnancy. There is safe medication that can be taken that allows a safe vaginal passage for babies, otherwise a caesarean section is needed to protect your baby from the effects of neonatal herpes.
And I echo your call for honest discussions around multiple sexual partners, especially for young women, who can have major negative health impacts from multiple partners. This is not a value judgement, but a statement of medical facts. Not having these discussions leaves young people unable to make informed choices about their behaviour.